Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris recently stirred controversy at the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa with her remarks on the scandal surrounding Baltasar Engonga, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) of Equatorial Guinea. Engonga, a high-ranking official, was thrust into the spotlight after over 400 explicit videos of him engaging in intimate acts with various women were leaked online. While the scandal has captivated social media and raised serious questions about privacy and digital ethics, Passaris made a provocative claim that the videos might have been AI-generated.
During her address at the Pan-African Parliament, Passaris shifted focus from her usual topics to the rapidly growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential dangers. She drew a link between the AI boom and the scandal involving Engonga, suggesting that the explicit videos that had gone viral might have been manipulated using AI technology. This comment came after Engonga, who has remained in police custody following the leak, allegedly claimed that the videos were not real but were instead fabricated by AI tools. Passaris expressed concern about the implications of AI on human rights, suggesting that AI could be weaponized in ways that threaten individual privacy and dignity.
“I want to touch on the Africa Commission on Human Rights and People’s Rights. Right now, in all social media, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea has been trending. He’s been trending because somebody leaked some 400 videos of him having intimate relationships with various women of various stature. And he comes out and says all those were AI-generated. And I look at human rights and people’s rights, and I feel like, with the AI coming in, what is the commission doing to ensure that they safeguard people’s rights?” Passaris remarked at the forum.
While Passaris did not provide concrete evidence to back up her claims, her comments have fueled a debate over the authenticity of the leaked videos. Many have questioned whether AI could be the cause of the controversy or whether the videos are genuine. Despite the widespread circulation of the explicit footage, Engonga, who is currently in custody, has not publicly commented on his supposed claim that the videos were fabricated using AI technology. Moreover, the online accounts spreading these claims have not been verified, and some experts are skeptical about the ease with which AI could convincingly create such realistic footage.
The reactions to Passaris’ statements have been swift and critical. Many Kenyans, in particular, have taken to social media to express their disappointment. Critics argue that Passaris, who represents Kenya on the international stage, should be more cautious in making claims that are not supported by verifiable facts. Some pointed out that the man at the center of the scandal has not issued any formal statements regarding the AI theory, making Passaris’ remarks seem speculative. Others questioned how she could have come to the conclusion that the videos were AI-generated without clear evidence.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “You went all the way to speak about things you have no idea about. The dude in those videos is still in police custody and has not said a word since his arrest. How did you get his statement on AI?” Another added, “Even the dumbest AI novice can clearly tell a real video from a fake one. How can you not look at a video and tell whether it is AI or not? And you’re the one representing Kenya at such forums? Lord have mercy!”
The scandal surrounding Engonga has continued to unfold with significant political repercussions. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea and a prominent figure in the country, reacted to the leaked videos by announcing the suspension of civil servants who were found to have engaged in illicit sexual acts in government offices. This move, according to the Vice President, is a violation of public ethics and the law.
Engonga, known for his charm and good looks, is married with children and is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, a well-connected figure in Equatorial Guinea, where his family holds considerable influence. The scandal has also implicated several women, some of whom are married to high-profile individuals, adding another layer of intrigue and controversy to the story.
As the situation continues to develop, Passaris’ comments have added fuel to the fire, with many questioning the role of AI in these scandals and the responsibilities of public figures in addressing such sensitive issues. What is clear, however, is that the intersection of AI, privacy, and human rights is an issue that will continue to shape discussions not only in Africa but globally. The leaked videos have brought attention to the dark side of digital technologies, where the line between reality and artificial manipulation is becoming increasingly blurred.
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