The family of Anicet Ekane, former president of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem), is calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his death on December 1, 2025. This demand comes after the publication of a statement by the Ministry of Defense, dated February 24, 2026, concluding that his death was due to natural causes following an administrative inquiry.
The family's lawyers released a statement on February 25, 2026, stressing that the investigation conducted by the Ministry of Defense was unilateral and does not respect the rights of their client, Anicet Ekane's widow. They recall that international human rights law recognizes the right of families to know the truth about the circumstances of their relatives' deaths and to obtain justice. The Cameroonian Constitution, according to them, also protects the dignity and integrity of individuals, even after their death.
The family of Anicet Ekane, through its legal counsel, reiterates its demands: an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of President Ekane's death, and the need to hold accountable those responsible for his arrest, detention, and the care he received at the National Gendarmerie Medical Center.
Anicet Ekane was arrested on October 24, 2025, in Douala, accused of inciting revolt following the disputed presidential election that saw Paul Biya re-elected. His relatives had reported that his health, already fragile due to respiratory problems, had deteriorated in detention, and that he had not received appropriate medical care. This information is disputed by the Cameroonian government, which claims he received the necessary care. His death, which occurred at the State Defense Secretariat in Yaoundé, had sparked outrage from the opposition and concern from several human rights organizations.
While the Cameroonian government maintains that Anicet Ekane died of natural causes, his family continues to doubt this version and is calling for an impartial investigation to shed full light on the matter.
