Africa Newsroom — Yaoundé, Cameroon — Anicet Ekane, a leading figure in Cameroon’s opposition, passed away on February 3 at the age of 74 while in military detention, according to his family and lawyers. His death has sparked widespread accusations of medical neglect and intensified the post-election crisis in the Central African nation.
Ekane was arrested in late October, along with other leaders of his party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), following protests over alleged electoral fraud in the presidential election. He was detained on charges of insurrection, with his party labeling the arrest as a “kidnapping.”
Ekane’s family and legal representatives contend that he died after weeks of detention and was denied proper medical care. They claim that his oxygen concentrator and other vital medical equipment were locked inside his impounded vehicle and that authorities prevented lawyers from retrieving them. MANIDEM has called this act “programmed killing.”
The government, however, stated that Ekane died “following an illness” and was receiving care at the National Gendarmerie Military Medical Center. Despite this, reports indicate that lawyers were blocked from retrieving essential medical equipment and were unable to provide care for Ekane.
Ekane’s death has been met with shock and anger across Cameroon. His party and the Union for Change political platform have declared that he was “murdered” and have called for an international investigation. Cameroon’s communication minister expressed the government’s regret over Ekane’s passing, while President Paul Biya has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The political context of Ekane’s death is complex. It comes amidst a period of heightened tension in Cameroon, with the country grappling with a separatist conflict in the English-speaking regions and ongoing allegations of electoral malpractice. Ekane’s death has reignited concerns about the state of human rights and political freedoms in the country.
The African Movement for New Independence and Democracy has been a vocal critic of the government’s policies, particularly regarding the handling of the election and the ongoing conflict. Ekane’s death has further galvanized opposition groups, who are demanding a thorough investigation and accountability.
Source: aljazeera
