Africa Newsroom — Douala, Cameroon — The city of Douala is in mourning as the family of Anicet Ekane, a revered figure in the Cameroonian opposition, rejects the official investigation into his sudden death. Ekane, a 74-year-old leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), passed away in military custody on December 1, 2025, under circumstances that have fueled speculation and controversy.
Ekane was detained in Douala on October 24, 2025, and held for 38 days before his death. He faced charges of hostility against the state, incitement to revolt, and insurrection for his support of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary during the contentious presidential election that saw 92-year-old President Paul Biya retain power. The election’s aftermath has been marked by unrest and civilian casualties.
The Ministry of Defense claims that Ekane was being treated for a chronic illness at the National Gendarmerie Military Medical Center in Yaounde and has initiated an investigation into his death. However, Ekane’s family and legal team argue that he was subjected to medical neglect. His son, Muna Ekane, recounted that his father suffered from respiratory distress for a week and was not provided with adequate care.
The political climate in Cameroon has been tense since the election, with protests erupting in the wake of the controversial results. Ekane’s death has been met with谴责 from the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy, which labels it a “murder.” The European Union delegation has expressed deep sadness over the incident and has renewed calls for the release of arbitrarily detained individuals since the election. There is a growing concern that Ekane’s death could further destabilize the country.
The investigation ordered by the government into Ekane’s death is a critical moment for Cameroon. The outcome of this inquiry will likely have significant implications for the country’s political landscape and the treatment of political prisoners. Experts are watching closely to see how this case unfolds and what it reveals about the state of human rights and political freedoms in Cameroon.
As Douala and the wider Cameroonian community grieve the loss of Ekane, the unanswered questions surrounding his death continue to cast a shadow over the nation’s future. The family’s rejection of the government-led investigation underscores the depth of their skepticism and the broader concerns about the transparency and fairness of the judicial process in Cameroon.
Source: Africa
Additional reporting by ImNews
