Cameroon Opposition Leader Anicet Ekane Dies in Military Detention Amid Election Controversy

Anicet Ekane, a 74-year-old left-wing opposition figure and firebrand critic of Cameroon's government, has died in military detention five weeks after his arrest, sparking outrage and grief across the Central African nation.

Ekane, leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem) party, died Monday morning at a military medical facility, according to his lawyers and party officials. No official cause of death has been announced, though his party accuses authorities of denying him access to vital medication—a charge the government denies.

The death has sent shockwaves through Cameroon's opposition movement and intensified scrutiny of the government's treatment of political dissidents following October's disputed presidential election.

According to a Manidem spokesman, Ekane's health deteriorated over the weekend before his death at the Military Medical Centre of the National Gendarmerie. "We have no clarification... His wife had been called to come and when she found herself there, she was just presented the corpse of her husband," the spokesman said.

Defence ministry spokesman Captain Cyrille Serge Atonfack stated Ekane died from illness but provided no further details. "The deceased, who suffered from various chronic pathologies, had been interned at the Military Medical Centre of the National Gendarmerie," he said, adding that the politician had received proper care since his October 24 arrest.

Minister of Communication and government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi later expressed condolences to Ekane's family and Manidem while insisting the opposition leader received appropriate medical attention from both personal doctors and military hospital staff. He announced an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of death.

Ekane's lawyers have characterized his detention as illegal, stating he was never formally charged or presented before a judge. According to his legal team, authorities accused him of hostility against the state, incitement to revolt, and calls for insurrection.

"He was never presented before a judge or charged with any misdemeanour," said Hippolyte Meli, one of Ekane's lawyers, in a social media statement describing the detention as unlawful.

Renowned anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described Ekane's death as "the extinguishing of a fierce and passionate flame" that burned for democratic emancipation. Muna revealed that Ekane had informed him of his ill-health during their last conversation.

"One would have thought that basic humanity, the fundamental presumption of innocence, and the undeniable evidence of his failing health would have compelled his release to his family and the care of the medical experts who knew his condition," Muna stated.

Ekane was among the leaders of an opposition coalition that endorsed Issa Tchiroma Bakary in October's controversial presidential election. Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesman turned opposition candidate, claims he was the rightful winner of the poll officially won by 92-year-old incumbent President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982.

Tchiroma Bakary has since fled to The Gambia, citing security concerns following violent post-election crackdowns.

Ekane initially endorsed another prominent opposition figure, Maurice Kamto, who disputed the previous 2018 election and endured prolonged detention afterward. However, the electoral body Elecam and the Constitutional Council rejected Kamto's candidacy this time, claiming his party had endorsed multiple candidates.

Following Kamto's disqualification, Ekane and other politicians formed the Union for Change Coalition, selecting Tchiroma Bakary as their standard-bearer.

Opposition protesters accused the ruling party of rigging the elections to ensure Paul Biya stayed in power

The election's aftermath proved deadly. According to the United Nations, at least 48 people were killed by Cameroonian security forces during protests against President Biya's re-election.

This included several people shot dead near Tchiroma Bakary's residence in Garoua city. The opposition candidate later claimed snipers were stationed at a house across from his, "firing at point-blank range at the people." The Cameroonian government has denied any wrongdoing.

In recent weeks, rumors had circulated about Ekane's death, prompting Manidem party members to demand to see him "dead or alive." His confirmed death has triggered widespread grief and anger, with supporters gathering at party headquarters in Douala to mourn while others expressed outrage online.

Manidem reports that security forces have surrounded its premises, raising concerns about potential restrictions on opposition activities and freedom of assembly.

Ekane's death highlights broader concerns about political space, human rights, and democratic governance in Central Africa. Cameroon, a nation of approximately 28 million people, has faced international criticism for its handling of political opposition and civil liberties under Biya's four-decade rule.

For African observers, the case resonates with similar incidents across the continent where opposition figures have died in detention or faced severe restrictions. Organizations including the African Union and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) have historically called for respect of democratic principles and human rights protections for political opponents.

The incident also draws attention to the health and treatment of elderly prisoners, particularly those with chronic medical conditions. International human rights standards require governments to provide adequate medical care to detainees and consider compassionate release for seriously ill prisoners, especially when they pose no security threat.

Western governments and human rights organizations have long expressed concerns about Cameroon's democratic trajectory. The country faces multiple challenges including the ongoing Anglophone crisis in its English-speaking regions, where separatist movements have clashed with government forces since 2016, and the Boko Haram insurgency affecting its northern regions.

President Biya's extended rule and the apparent suppression of political opposition raise questions about peaceful power transitions in Central Africa—a region where several leaders have maintained power for decades through contested electoral processes.

The announced investigation into Ekane's death will face scrutiny from opposition groups, civil society organizations, and international observers demanding transparency and accountability.

Manidem and allied opposition parties are likely to use Ekane's death to galvanize support and maintain pressure on the government. However, they face significant challenges given the government's apparent willingness to use security forces to suppress dissent.

The political fallout could affect Cameroon's international standing, particularly regarding foreign aid and diplomatic relations with Western nations that emphasize democratic governance and human rights standards.

For Tchiroma Bakary, now in exile in The Gambia, Ekane's death may reinforce his decision to leave Cameroon while complicating efforts to mount effective opposition from abroad.

As supporters mourn at Manidem headquarters and families demand answers, Ekane's death represents not just a personal tragedy but a flashpoint in Cameroon's ongoing struggle over democratic space, political rights, and the future of opposition movements under one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.