Cameroonian artist Longue Longue, known for his socially conscious music, released a shocking video today showing him being tortured by several officers of the Cameroonian security forces. This footage, which comes a day after Longue Longue posted a video claiming to have evidence of his 2019 ordeal, has reignited concerns about human rights abuses within Cameroon’s criminal justice system.
Harrowing Scenes of Torture Emerge
The video, which has rapidly spread across social media platforms, depicts the singer, born Simon Longkana Agno, in a dire state. At one point, he wears only white briefs and pleads for his life while officers beat him under the feet with machetes. The artist begs for clemency, visibly shaken, as the officers stand over him, laughing and hitting him repeatedly.
The 2019 Arrest and Longue Longue’s Claims
Longue Longue’s allegations of mistreatment are not new. In 2019, authorities arrested him on charges of making statements deemed politically sensitive, which sparked widespread criticism from fans and human rights organisations. The artist stated that authorities subjected him to brutal torture during his detention, but at that time, no concrete evidence supported these accusations. His revelation now, in the form of this horrifying video, has sent shockwaves through the country and drawn renewed attention to the deeply entrenched problems within Cameroon’s criminal justice system.
Wider Human Rights Concerns in Cameroon
The footage comes at a particularly delicate time for Cameroon, a nation already on its knees with political unrest and a separatist conflict in its Anglophone regions. It comes after several similar videos had made their way online, including those of women and children in Cameroon’s North region. Longuè Longuè, a cultural icon with a history of politically charged songs, has often found himself at odds with authorities due to his outspoken stance on social justice and human rights. This latest development seems poised to escalate tensions even further.
Human rights advocates have been quick to condemn the video, pointing to the widespread use of torture and abuse in Cameroon’s detention centres.
“What we are witnessing in this video is not an isolated incident,” said one Barrister, Michele Ndoki.
“The security forces in Cameroon have a long history of using brutal methods to silence dissenting voices. Longuè Longuè’s case is a tragic but all-too-common example of the abuse of power in the country,” she told MMI.
International Scrutiny and Calls for Accountability
The international community has also taken notice of similar cases. Advocacy groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly called for investigations into allegations of torture and arbitrary detention in Cameroon. The emergence of this video is likely to intensify calls for accountability with demands for an independent inquiry into the treatment of Longue Longue and other detainees.
The Cameroonian government, which has previously denied allegations of widespread abuse by its security forces, has yet to officially respond to the video. However, the release of such graphic footage raises serious questions about the integrity of the country’s criminal justice system and the role of security forces in maintaining law and order.
Support and Solidarity from Fans and Artists
Longuè Longuè’s decision to release the video has been met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow artists, many of whom have expressed their shock and anger over the apparent brutality he endured. “This is not just an attack on Longue Longue, this is an attack on our freedom as Cameroonians,” one fan commented online. “We cannot stay silent in the face of such cruelty.”
A Broader Fight for Justice in Cameroon
The singer’s brave step to make the footage public could potentially pave the way for further revelations about human rights abuses in the country, shedding light on the extent of unchecked power within the security forces. For many, it is a chilling reminder of the lengths to which authorities are willing to go to suppress dissenting voices.
For Longuè Longuè, the release of the video is more than just an act of defiance. It is a call for justice, not only for himself but for all those who have suffered in silence under a system that too often prioritises repression over accountability.
