Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died while in detention, five weeks after his arrest, according to his lawyers and party officials.
Ekane, 74, was a senior member of an opposition coalition that backed Issa Tchiroma Bakary in October’s presidential election. Bakary has claimed he was the true winner of the poll, which was officially declared in favour of the 92-year-old incumbent, President Paul Biya. Bakary has since fled to The Gambia.
No official cause of death has been released. However, Ekane’s party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem), has accused the authorities of denying him access to his medication — an allegation the government has rejected.
A party spokesperson said Ekane died on Monday morning at a military medical facility after his health deteriorated over the weekend.
“We have no clarification. His wife was called and when she arrived, she was simply shown her husband’s body,” the spokesman said. The family later moved the body to a mortuary.
Defence ministry spokesman Capt. Cyrille Serge Atonfack said Ekane died from illness but gave no further details. He stated that the politician had been receiving medical care since his arrest on October 24.
Ekane had been accused of acts including hostility against the state, incitement to revolt, and calling for insurrection. His lawyers insist he was never presented before a judge or formally charged, describing his detention as illegal.
In recent weeks, rumours about his death had circulated, prompting party members to demand proof that he was still alive.
His passing has caused outrage and grief across Cameroon. Supporters gathered at the party’s headquarters in Douala while others took to social media to express their anger. The party also claims its offices have been surrounded by security forces.
Ekane originally supported Maurice Kamto for the presidency, but Kamto’s candidacy was rejected, partly because the party had endorsed more than one candidate. Ekane later joined other opposition figures to form the Union for Change Coalition, which selected Issa Tchiroma Bakary as its candidate.
Authorities say an investigation has now been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding Ekane’s death.
