Gambiaj.com – Recently, a scandal involving Balthasar Ebang Engonga, whose leaked sex tapes with wives of high-ranking officials in Equatorial Guinea’s regime made international headlines. The issue has taken a dark turn, with Balthasar facing severe abuse while imprisoned.

Sources from Jeune Afrique reveal that Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, widely considered the heir to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has orchestrated harsh detention conditions for Balthasar at the notorious Black Beach prison.

Reports suggest that Balthasar has endured physical abuse by operatives linked to the regime, including Jesus Edu Moto, the presidential security supervisor, whose wife is one of those implicated in the sex tapes scandal.

The abuse has reportedly been so severe that Balthasar required temporary removal from Black Beach for medical treatment before being returned to the facility. The infamous prison, notorious for its inhumane conditions, has become a tool of retaliation in this high-profile scandal.

Compounding the drama, allegations suggest that Vice President Teodoro Nguema himself was behind the publication of the compromising videos.

This is believed to be part of a calculated effort to weaken the political influence of Balthasar’s father, Balthasar Engonga Edjo’o, a senior regime figure and perceived rival.

The scandal implicates not only the vice president but also other regime dignitaries, many of whom face personal embarrassment due to the involvement of their spouses in Balthasar’s escapades. Dubbed “Bello” in the leaked tapes, Balthasar’s actions and the subsequent fallout have exposed deep fractures within Equatorial Guinea’s ruling elite.

This saga highlights the volatile mix of personal vendettas and political rivalries within one of Africa’s longest-standing authoritarian regimes and underscores the lengths to which powerful figures in Equatorial Guinea will go to settle scores and preserve their grip on power.