Longue Longue video shows a Cameroonian singer allegedly being tortured

A video allegedly showing popular Cameroonian singer Simon Longkana Agno, popularly known as Longue Longue, being tortured has caused widespread outrage in the country.

The artist, known for his hits about bad governance, colonialism and other social ills, said the video was recorded after his arrest in 2019 but this was the first time it had been seen by the public.

Longue Longue shared it himself, but it’s unclear why it’s only coming out now or how he obtained it.

Cameroonian authorities said in a statement that they had opened an investigation into the “unfortunate incident.”

Warning: This article contains images and descriptions of torture

In the video, Longue Longue’s hands are tied behind his back and he sits on the floor in his underwear while his bare soles are beaten with a flat machete.

Despite his desperate pleas to stop the beating, the men, whom Longue Longue describes as security officers, continue.

The BBC was unable to verify the video. We tried to contact the singer without success.

On his Facebook page, he said he was arrested because of his “freedom of thought” and vowed to file legal complaints in both Cameroon and France.

He was arrested in 2019 after posting a video saying longtime President Paul Biya had rigged the 2018 election.

The artist said opposition leader Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) was the rightful winner of the polls.

At that time, the Constitutional Council rejected Kamto’s request for a rehearing because of alleged manipulation.

The opposition leader is among those who denounced the apparent torture and called for an investigation into the incident.

“The CRM strongly condemns this state barbarism and calls for the urgent initiation of an investigation to arrest and immediately bring to justice the perpetrators of these inhumane acts,” Kamto said in a statement on X.

He added that the video was reminiscent of “the terrible treatment” faced by opposition activists during the crackdown in 2019, when hundreds of his supporters were arrested.

Renowned Cameroonian human rights lawyer Akere Muna said the treatment of Longue Longue was a “powerful reminder of the depths of depravity to which humanity can descend.”

Human rights groups have criticized the government for creating an atmosphere of impunity for members of the country’s security forces.

They have also accused authorities of cracking down on dissent ahead of next year’s presidential election.