The announcement of the death of Anicet Ekane, a leading figure in the Cameroonian opposition, which occurred on December 1, 2025, in a gendarmerie cell in Yaoundé, has created shockwaves. His death, which occurred in a tense political context after the disputed presidential election of October 2025, raises many questions about the conditions of detention and respect for the rights of detainees in Cameroon.
Anicet Ekane, 74, was the president of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM). He was arrested on October 24, 2025, in Douala, accused of being one of the instigators of the post-election protests following President Paul Biya's victory. Ekane had publicly supported Issa Tchiroma Bakary's claim of victory.
His relatives and lawyers denounced his detention conditions, claiming that he suffered from severe respiratory problems and that he had not received proper medical care. According to them, his breathing apparatus had been confiscated at the time of his arrest. The Cameroonian government, through the voice of the Minister of Communication, René Emmanuel Sadi, declared that Ekane had died "following an illness" and that he had received the necessary medical care. An investigation was opened to determine the circumstances of his death.
On February 24, 2026, the Ministry of Defense released an autopsy report concluding that the death was from natural causes, attributing the death to "serious pathologies" and significant prior medical history, while noting the absence of "traumatic lesions". Additional examinations had been conducted at the University Center of Forensic Medicine in Switzerland.
Anicet Ekane's death has sparked strong reactions within the Cameroonian opposition and civil society. Many denounce an "assassination" and call for an independent international investigation. Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, have also called for an impartial and effective investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Born in Douala on April 17, 1951, Anicet Ekane had been a leading figure in the Cameroonian opposition since the 1990s. He was a comrade in the struggle with Yondo Black and led the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM). He marked the Cameroonian political scene with his commitment to democracy, justice and development.
In October 2025, he had supported Maurice Kamto and Issa Chiroma during the presidential election. His political career was marked by his opposition to the ruling power and by his defense of national causes.
After nearly three months at the morgue of the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Anicet Ekane's body was returned to his family on February 23, 2026.
