Cameroon: Investigation opened after the broadcast of a video showing the torture of singer Longuè Longuè
Cameroon’s Ministry of Defense has launched an investigation following the release of a shocking video that went viral, showing Cameroonian singer Longkana Agno Simon , better known as Longuè Longuè , being tortured. The case quickly gained momentum, sparking strong reactions within Cameroonian society and on social media.
A video that shocks public opinion
The video, which appeared on social media on Wednesday, shows scenes of violence in which Longuè Longuè is visibly mistreated by individuals in uniform. The sequence has sent shockwaves through the country, where the singer enjoys great popularity. According to testimonies and sources close to the artist, the victim was apprehended and interrogated in a brutal manner by alleged members of the security forces.
List of 13 alleged torturers emerges
In the hours following the video’s release, a list of 13 individuals identified as the alleged torturers circulated on social media. All of these individuals are believed to be members of the security forces, although their exact identities and functions have not been confirmed. The publication of the list has heightened public outrage and prompted widespread calls for punishment for those responsible.
Reaction of the Ministry of Defense and opening of an investigation
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Defense strongly condemned these acts of violence and announced the immediate opening of an investigation. The Minister Delegate to the Presidency, in charge of Defense, ordered that the specialized services of his ministry investigate the circumstances of these acts. The statement specifies that the victim, Longuè Longuè, attributes this violence to agents of the Littoral military security , an antenna of the Cameroonian armed forces operating in the coastal region of the country.
Context and precedents of tensions between artists and authorities
Longuè Longuè is an often engaged and controversial artist, known for his positions on social issues and for his criticism of certain aspects of the regime in place. This type of confrontation between artists and security forces is not unprecedented in Cameroon, but the nature of the violence shown in the video has rekindled the debate on impunity and abuse of power within certain branches of the security forces.
Ongoing investigation and reactions from civil society
The Ministry of Defense has assured that it will ensure that “all light is shed” on this incident. Human rights organizations and local associations have called for rapid measures to be taken to prevent similar acts from happening again and to ensure that those responsible for this violence, if proven, are prosecuted.
The situation is being closely monitored, with many Cameroonians and civil society actors demanding justice for Longuè Longuè and denouncing alleged abuses perpetrated by some members of the security forces.
