Cameroonian Opposition Figure Anicet Ekane Dies in Detention
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What Circumstances Surround Anicet Ekane’s Death in Custody?
Cameroonian opposition politician Anicet Ekane died on Monday morning while being held in detention in Yaounde, according to the vice president of his party. His death comes after weeks of concern from his supporters and colleagues, who had been calling for improved medical attention during his time in custody.
Ekane, a well-known left-wing nationalist figure, was arrested in Douala on October 24. His detention took place one day before Cameroon released its presidential election results, which confirmed 92-year-old Paul Biya’s return to office for an eighth term. Ekane had been closely aligned with fellow opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary, one of the leaders who challenged Biya’s decades-long rule following the October 12 vote.
Valentin Dongmo of the African Movement for the New Independence of Cameroon (Manidem) confirmed Ekane’s passing, stating, “Anicet Ekane died this morning in Yaounde, where he had been transferred after his arrest at the end of October in Douala.” The exact cause of death remains uncertain, although Dongmo noted a decline in Ekane’s health after he was taken to the State Defence Secretariat, known as SED.
According to Dongmo, “Anicet Ekane was arrested in Douala and then transferred to Yaounde, where he was held at the State Defence Secretariat (SED). It was there that his health began to deteriorate.” He added that repeated appeals for Ekane to be taken to a hospital with proper medical facilities received no positive response. Dongmo also said that “just yesterday” Ekane’s supporters had requested a “medical evacuation” as his condition worsened.
Ekane and several other political leaders had been detained for publicly supporting Bakary’s self-declared presidential victory before the official results were released. Manidem condemned the arrests as “arbitrary” and described them as attempts to “intimidate” the public.
Political analyst Stephane Akoa offered a broader perspective on the system in place at SED, saying it allows authorities to “maintain strict control over VIP detainees or those considered as such” without guaranteeing “better treatment.” He added that Ekane’s death “crudely reminds us that detention conditions in Cameroon are extremely poor,” highlighting concerns about disregard for human rights despite international commitments.
In response, the defence ministry issued a statement rejecting accusations of negligence, insisting “he was appropriately cared for by the medical staff”. The ministry also confirmed that an investigation has been opened to “precisely determine the circumstances of death”.
How Has Ekane’s Legacy Shaped Political Reactions Today?
Born in Douala in 1951, Ekane began his political journey in 1973 when he joined the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC). He later founded Manidem in 1995 after leaving the UPC. His activism stretches back decades, including his arrest in February 1990 as a member of the Yondo Black group, a case that led to his conviction in a military trial before being pardoned months later. He later contested the presidency in both 2004 and 2011 as Manidem’s candidate.
News of his death triggered widespread reactions online, with many Cameroonians expressing shock, frustration and sorrow. His long career, marked by persistence and defiance, continues to shape discussions about political freedoms, detention conditions and the state of opposition politics in Cameroon.
By Lucky Anyanje
