The release of the body of Anicet Ekane, a Cameroonian opposition figure who died in detention on December 1, 2025, has sparked considerable controversy. The government commissioner at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal ordered the lifting of restrictions on his remains on February 23, 2026, nearly three months after his death. A decision that lawyer Hippolyte Meli describes as "unacceptable" in a column published this Tuesday.
Me Meli denounces an "unacceptable posthumous release," arguing that it does not respect the legal texts in force. He emphasizes that the right to a final resting place is a fundamental right of personality, just like the right to a home. For the lawyer, the morgue cannot be considered a place of detention or a final resting place worthy of the name, but simply as a place of temporary preservation.
"All men are mortal! We bowed with humility. The human body, even lifeless, is sacred, deserves respect, dignity, integrity and decency!," wrote Me Meli in his column. He recalls that the mortal remains cannot be considered as an object of legal commerce, except for limited exceptions in the medical or scientific interest.
Anicet Ekane, president of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), was arrested on October 24, 2025, in connection with post-election protests. His death in detention, which occurred on December 1, 2025, at the SED (State Secretariat for Defense), sparked strong reactions and accusations of negligence. His lawyers had denounced his detention conditions and the confiscation of his oxygen concentrator, a vital medical device for him.
The release of Anicet Ekane's body, although delayed, will allow his family to finally organize his funeral. A case that highlights the political tensions and human rights issues in Cameroon. On February 23, Me Meli expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to this outcome, while emphasizing that further developments could still occur.
