Opposition Leader Dies in Cameroonian Military Detention, Sparking Outcry
Yaoundé, Cameroon – Anicet Ekane, a prominent 74-year-old opposition figure in Cameroon, has died while in military detention, his party and lawyers announced, igniting anger and renewed scrutiny of President Paul Biya’s government.
Ekane, the head of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), was arrested on October 24 in Douala during protests challenging the disputed re-election of 92-year-old President Paul Biya. After being held for five weeks without formal charges, Ekane died on Monday at a military medical facility in the capital, Yaoundé.
Authorities stated that Ekane, who suffered from chronic illnesses, died from sickness and had received continuous medical care. Defence Ministry spokesman Capt Cyrille Serge Atonfack said the politician had been “well taken care of by doctors” since his arrest.
However, Ekane’s legal team and party officials vehemently dispute this account. His lawyer accused the authorities of denying him access to a respirator and necessary medication. “He was never presented before a judge or charged with any misdemeanour,” lawyer Hippolyte Meli stated, calling Ekane’s detention “illegal.”
The circumstances surrounding his final hours remain unclear. A MANIDEM spokesman said Ekane’s wife was summoned to the facility only to be presented with her husband’s corpse, with no prior explanation of his deteriorating condition.
The government, through Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi, has expressed condolences and announced an investigation into the exact circumstances of the death. Sadi insisted Ekane had received proper attention from both military doctors and his personal physicians.
Ekane’s death has sent shockwaves through Cameroon’s opposition and drawn international concern. The European Union has called for a swift and transparent investigation and emphasized the need for proper treatment of detainees.
The incident underscores the tense political climate in Cameroon, where Biya has ruled for over four decades. The October election, officially won by Biya, was rejected by the opposition coalition that Ekane helped lead, which endorsed candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Tchiroma Bakary, who claimed victory and has since fled to The Gambia, alleged widespread rigging.
UN reports state that at least 48 people were killed by security forces during post-election protests. Ekane’s passing has become a focal point for grievances over political space and human rights under Biya’s long rule.
Renowned anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna mourned Ekane’s death as “the extinguishing of a fierce and passionate flame” for democracy. As supporters gather to mourn in Douala, with party premises reportedly surrounded by security forces, Ekane’s fate has become a potent symbol of Cameroon’s ongoing political strife.
About The Author
