Cameroon is reeling after the sudden death of Anicet Ekane, a 74-year-old left-wing opposition figure, in detention. His passing has ignited widespread anger and calls for accountability regarding the treatment of political prisoners in the country.
Ekane, who was arrested five weeks prior, was a part of the opposition coalition backing Issa Tchiroma Bakary in the recent presidential elections. Officially, those elections were won by 92-year-old incumbent Paul Biya, with Tchiroma claiming he was the rightful victor. Following the elections, he fled to The Gambia for his safety.
Though there has been no official cause provided for Ekane's death, his party has blamed the authorities for refusing him access to essential medication. This accusation, however, has been denied by the government. According to spokespeople from Ekane's party, he succumbed at a military medical facility following a decline in health over the weekend.
In a shocking account, a representative stated, 'His wife was just presented the corpse.' The family was then forced to take his remains to the mortuary.
The spokesperson for the Cameroonian Defence Ministry attributed Ekane's death to chronic illnesses, asserting that he had received appropriate medical care during his detention.
Ekane's party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem), had filed for his release, as he faced charges of hostility against the state and incitement to revolt. Yet, he was reportedly never presented before a judge or formally charged, leading his lawyers to label his detention as illegal.
In response to the news of his death, grief-stricken supporters gathered outside the Manidem headquarters in Douala, expressing their sorrow and anger online. The atmosphere was further exacerbated by a heavy security presence surrounding the party’s premises.
As calls for justice echo across the nation, authorities have indicated that an investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Ekane's untimely death.
