Death of Opposition Leader Anicet Ekane Sparks Outcry in Cameroon

Sat Dec 20 2025 12:15:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The untimely death of Anicet Ekane, a prominent opposition figure in Cameroon, while in detention has ignited outrage and calls for justice across the nation. Ekane's family received little explanation following his passing, raising serious concerns about the treatment of political prisoners in the country.

Anicet Ekane, a 74-year-old opposition leader in Cameroon, has died in custody where he was held for over a month. His family reported receiving scant information on his death, prompting accusations against the government for not providing adequate medical care. Ekane had previously endorsed another opposition candidate, and his passing has triggered protests and demands for accountability regarding the actions of the ruling party.

Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died in detention, five weeks after he was arrested, his lawyers and party have announced.

Ekane, 74, was among the leaders of an opposition coalition who endorsed Issa Tchiroma Bakary in October's presidential election.

Tchiroma Bakary claims he was the rightful winner of the poll, officially won by 92-year-old incumbent Paul Biya. He has since fled to The Gambia.

No official cause of Ekane's death has been announced. His party has accused the authorities of denying him access to his medication - a charge the government has denied.

According to a spokesman for Ekane's African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem) party, Ekane died on Monday morning at a military medical facility, after his health worsened over the weekend.

We have no clarification... His wife had been called to come and when she found herself there, she was just presented the corpse of her husband, he said.

He added that the family later took the corpse to the mortuary.

Defence ministry spokesman Capt Cyrille Serge Atonfack stated that the Manidem leader had died from illness but did not provide further details.

The deceased, who suffered from various chronic pathologies, had been interned at the Military Medical Centre of the National Gendarmerie, he said, adding that the politician had been well taken care of by doctors since his arrest on 24 October.

Minister of Communication and government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi later expressed condolences to Ekane's family and the Manidem party. He also noted that Ekane had received proper medical attention from both his personal doctors and those at the military hospital, and that an investigation had been launched into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Renowned anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described Ekane's death as the extinguishing of a fierce and passionate flame that burned for democratic emancipation.

Muna stated that Ekane had informed him of his ill-health during their last conversation and emphasized that basic humanity and the presumption of innocence should have compelled his release.

According to Ekane's lawyers, he was accused of hostility against the state, incitement to revolt, and calls for insurrection. They criticized the government for detaining him without proper charges.

Rumors had circulated regarding Ekane's demise in recent weeks, prompting his party members to demand confirmation of his status.

His death has sent shockwaves through the nation, with supporters gathering at the party headquarters in Douala to mourn and express their anger online. Security forces have reportedly surrounded the party's premises.

Ekane initially endorsed another opposition leader, Maurice Kamto, for the presidential election. However, Kamto's candidacy was rejected this time, leading Ekane and others to form the Union for Change Coalition, supporting Tchiroma Bakary's candidacy.

During protests against President Biya's re-election, at least 48 people were reportedly killed by security forces, which the government has denied responsibility for.