The death of Cameroon’s leading opposition figure, Anicet Ekane, has sparked outrage and grief following weeks of detention. Ekane, who was 74, passed away while in custody, as confirmed by his family and legal representatives on Monday. They allege he struggled to breathe and did not receive adequate medical care.
Ekane’s arrest occurred in late October alongside other prominent members of his party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy, during protests against alleged fraud in the presidential election. His lawyer, Emmanuel Simh, stated that Ekane faced charges of insurrection, emphasizing the lack of appropriate medical treatment during his confinement. “Mr. Ekane was critically sick, he was denied appropriate treatment,” Simh said. He expressed profound sadness over the situation, asserting, “Ekane committed no crime, so we need to know why he was arrested and abandoned in the prison cell of the paramilitary gendarmerie.”
His detention followed the October 12, 2023 election, in which incumbent President Paul Biya, at 92 the world’s oldest president, was declared the winner amid significant allegations of irregularities. The rival candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who has since fled to Gambia, claimed victory and urged citizens to reject the official results.
The Cameroonian defense ministry confirmed Ekane’s death, stating he succumbed to an illness while hospitalized at the National Gendarmerie Military Medical Center. The ministry announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing, asserting that he was receiving appropriate care in collaboration with his personal physicians. The statement noted that he suffered from various chronic illnesses.
In a social media post, Ekane’s party characterized his death as “murder.” His eldest son, Muna Ekane, revealed that his father’s health had deteriorated significantly the day before his passing. “For one week, he had difficulties breathing; he was suffocating,” Muna stated. He criticized the authorities for failing to take action despite repeated alerts about his father’s worsening condition, describing the issue as “respiratory problems.”
The political climate in Cameroon has been tense since the election results were announced. Protests erupted in several opposition strongholds, leading to violence. While the government reported that 16 individuals were killed during the unrest, opposition figures and human rights organizations place the death toll at over 55.
The circumstances surrounding Anicet Ekane’s death have drawn international attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about political repression and human rights violations in Cameroon. As investigations continue, many are calling for accountability for those responsible for Ekane’s treatment and the broader implications of the election’s outcomes.
