Three months after the death of Anicet Ekanè, president of MANIDEM, his body has been transferred from the SED to Douala, reigniting questions about his death. MANIDEM announced that the transfer will take place this Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Ekanè died on December 1, 2025, while being held at the State Defense Secretariat (SED) in Yaoundé.
The SED, known for its opacity, has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Ekanè's death. The government stated that he died of natural causes, but this version is disputed by MANIDEM and the family, who have been demanding explanations for months. An autopsy was carried out without the presence of the family, fueling suspicion and leading to accusations of a lack of transparency.
MANIDEM has called on its supporters to mobilize in Yaoundé and Douala, transforming the transfer of the body into a demonstration of political strength. The party seeks to maintain pressure on the government to publish a detailed report on Ekanè's death. The funeral convoy will leave the morgue of the Central Hospital of Yaoundé, reach Nsimalen International Airport, and then be transported to Douala.
This case highlights deaths in detention in Cameroon and the lack of justice for families. The SED, Cameroon's intelligence service, finds itself under fire, and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are closely following the case.
The death of Anicet Ekanè, a figure of the Cameroonian opposition, could become a symbol of the opacity of judicial procedures in Cameroon. The question of trust in an autopsy carried out without the presence of the family and in the secrecy of the SED's cells remains, as long as the State has not clarified the exact circumstances of the death. The transfer of the body to Douala keeps the focus on this case and its implications for the Cameroonian judicial system.
MANIDEM, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy, is a Cameroonian political party founded in 1995. It advocates sovereignty and social justice. Anicet Ekanè, a leading figure in this movement, spent his life challenging authoritarianism in Cameroon.
Ekanè's death comes in a tense political context, marked by post-election disputes and allegations of repression. His death in detention has sparked outrage and calls for an independent investigation. The case continues to generate reactions both nationally and internationally.
