Veteran politician Anicet Ekane, 74, died in Yaounde military custody on Monday, 38 days after his arrest in Douala. His family and lawyers accuse authorities of medical neglect amid post-election crackdown.
The leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy died on 1 December 2025, weeks after security forces detained him for backing a rival candidate in October presidential election.
Ekane eldest son Muna Ekane said his father had suffered severe breathing difficulties for a week. Family members repeatedly asked for transfer to a civilian hospital but were ignored.
Lawyer Emmanuel Simh said Ekane had been ill since arrest and was denied proper treatment. The party had warned on Sunday that the government would be held responsible if anything happened to him.
Cameroon government said Ekane received medical care from military doctors alongside his personal physicians. Communication Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi expressed regret and announced an investigation ordered by President Paul Biya.
The African Movement for New Independence and Democracy described the death as murder. The European Union delegation in Cameroon voiced deep sadness and renewed calls for release of all those arbitrarily detained since the election.
Lifelong activist
Ekane spent nearly five decades in opposition politics. He emerged as a prominent voice during the early 1990s struggle for multiparty democracy and was seen by supporters as heir to Cameroon nationalist tradition.
He witnessed the execution of independence fighter Ernest Ouandie and remained a fierce advocate for social justice.
Post-election tensions
Ekane was arrested on 24 October 2025 after publicly supporting opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who rejects official results that gave President Paul Biya another term at age 92.
Authorities charged Ekane with insurrection and rebellion. His party called the charges politically motivated.
The October election triggered protests and a heavy security response. Government figures put the death toll at 16 while opposition and rights groups say more than 55 people died.
Tchiroma fled to the Gambia last month.
Ekane death has intensified criticism of the ongoing crackdown and raised fresh questions about treatment of political detainees in Cameroon.
Agencies contributed to this report
