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There is mounting tension in Cameroon following the death of veteran opposition figure Anicet Ekane, who passed away on Monday while in state custody.
Ekane, 74, had been detained for five weeks without trial, sparking renewed concerns over political freedoms and the treatment of detainees in the Central African nation.
Ekane, a long-standing leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem), died at a military medical facility where he had been held since 24 October.
According to his lawyers, he was accused of “hostility against the state”, “incitement to revolt”, and “calls for insurrection”, but was never formally charged or brought before a judge.
His party alleges that the authorities failed to provide essential medication needed to manage his health conditions. The government has rejected this claim. Military spokesperson Capt.
Cyrille Serge Atonfack stated only that Ekane had been ill, while Government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi expressed condolences and indicated that a formal inquiry had begun to determine the exact circumstances of his death.
Ekane played a key role in mobilising left-wing and grassroots support for opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary during Cameroon’s contentious October presidential election.
Bakary claimed victory in the polls over 92-year-old incumbent President Paul Biya, who still occupies the office. Following the disputed results and reports of a government crackdown, Bakary fled to The Gambia.
Ekane’s death has intensified scrutiny on Cameroon’s political climate. Reports of protests, arrests, and clashes have emerged from several cities.
Human rights observers say they have recorded multiple abuses in the weeks following the election and are urging the government to commit to full transparency in the ongoing investigation.
For many Cameroonians, Ekane’s death is a stark reminder of the deepening political fractures in the country. As calls grow for accountability and reform, the government faces renewed pressure both at home and abroad to ensure that due process and democratic rights are upheld.
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