The Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teddy Nguema, has announced the government’s plan to install surveillance cameras in all state offices in a bid to enforce strict public service laws and curb misconduct among officials.
This decision follows a major scandal involving the country’s Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, who was arrested after over 400 sex tapes of married women surfaced during a fraud investigation.
Nguema made the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, emphasizing that the move is part of broader efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behavior,” he stated. He added that any misconduct captured on camera will lead to severe consequences for the offenders, marking a decisive push against corruption and unethical practices.
The scandal involving Engonga emerged when authorities, conducting a fraud-related search at his home and office, found numerous CDs documenting his sexual activities with the wives of prominent individuals. This revelation has intensified public scrutiny of government officials and fueled calls for more stringent oversight and ethical reforms within the public service.
Officials indicate that the surveillance initiative is designed to promote accountability and deter unethical behavior in state offices.
“We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration,” the Vice President’s statement read. He further stressed that offenders would face “drastic measures” to uphold the administration’s standards and public trust.
Despite the government’s assertion that the new policy aligns with existing legal frameworks, reactions have been mixed. Some public sector employees have expressed support for the initiative as a necessary measure for reform.
However, human rights advocates have raised concerns about potential privacy infringements and the extent of monitoring in work environments. The specifics of the surveillance plan, including its timeline and full scope, remain to be outlined.
On Monday, Nguema also declared a zero-tolerance stance toward officials engaging in sexual relations within ministry offices, a direct violation of the Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law. He announced that any officials involved in such acts would be immediately suspended from their roles.
“Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration,” he noted, highlighting the importance of upholding professionalism and public trust.
The Vice President underscored that severe penalties would be imposed on those compromising the integrity of the public service.
“Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the state,” he asserted.
He described the new surveillance policy as a pivotal measure in fostering a culture of transparency, with the government determined to protect public resources and governance standards.
