Cameroon Opposition Figure Anicet Ekane, 74, Dies in Detention; Family Demands Answers Amid Political Controversy

Tragic Death of Cameroonian Opposition Leader Anicet Ekane in Detention

A wave of shock has swept across Cameroon following the death of prominent opposition figure Anicet Ekane, 74, while in state detention. His passing, five weeks after his arrest, has ignited widespread calls for transparency and an official explanation from authorities. Lawyers and his party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem), confirmed Ekane's death on Monday morning at a military medical facility, where his health reportedly deteriorated over the weekend.

Unanswered Questions and Accusations

The circumstances surrounding Ekane's death remain highly contentious. His family was reportedly offered little explanation, with a lawyer telling the BBC that his wife was simply "presented the corpse." Manidem has accused the government of denying Ekane access to his essential medication, a grave charge that authorities have vehemently denied. While Defence Ministry spokesman Capt Cyrille Serge Atonfack stated Ekane died from illness, attributing it to "various chronic pathologies" and insisting he received proper medical care since his arrest on October 24, no specific cause of death has been officially released. An investigation has reportedly been launched to determine the precise circumstances.

Political Context and Illegal Detention Claims

Anicet Ekane was a central figure in an opposition coalition that supported Issa Tchiroma Bakary in the recent October presidential election. Bakary, who claims he rightfully won the poll – officially awarded to 92-year-old incumbent Paul Biya – has since fled to The Gambia. Ekane's lawyers, including Hippolyte Meli, have decried his detention as "illegal," asserting that he was never presented before a judge or formally charged with any misdemeanor. He faced accusations of hostility against the state, incitement to revolt, and calls for insurrection.

Adding to the complexity, Ekane had initially backed Maurice Kamto in the presidential race. However, Kamto's candidacy was rejected by electoral bodies due to his party endorsing multiple candidates, leading Ekane and others to form the Union for Change Coalition, which then nominated Tchiroma Bakary.

Nationwide Outcry and Security Concerns

Ekane's death has resonated deeply, with supporters gathering at Manidem's headquarters in Douala to mourn and others expressing their outrage online. The Manidem party has reported that its premises are now surrounded by security forces, underscoring the tense political climate in the nation.