By Brian Kiprono and Agencies - Reporter
Cameroon, 1 December 2025 - Cameroon has been thrown into fresh political anxiety following the death of veteran opposition leader Anicet Ekane, who passed away while in state custody on Monday as cases of deadly detentions rise in Africa.
His family and legal team say the 74-year-old, known for his unwavering calls for democratic reform, died after weeks of deteriorating health and restricted access to essential medical care.
Ekane, the long-time head of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), was arrested on 24 October after post-election protests challenging the re-election of President Paul Biya.
His party labelled the arrest a “kidnapping”, accusing security forces of targeting him because of his public backing of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
The weeks that followed were marked by growing concern about his well-being. According to his lawyer, Ngouana Ulrich Juvenal, Ekane struggled to speak during a recent prison visit. His sister, Mariane Simon-Ekane, later confirmed his death on Facebook, prompting a wave of anger and grief across the opposition landscape.
A statement by Cameroon’s Ministry of Defence said Ekane died at the National Gendarmerie Military Medical Centre in Yaoundé, where he had been receiving treatment for a chronic illness. Authorities say an investigation into the cause of death has been opened.
However, MANIDEM maintains that negligence played a significant role. The party said Ekane’s oxygen concentrator and other vital medical equipment were locked inside his impounded vehicle in Douala, equipment they say military police repeatedly blocked lawyers from retrieving. The party described the obstruction as a “flagrant human rights violation” amounting to a “programmed killing”.
His arrest had already stirred political tensions, especially after human rights groups reported dozens of civilians killed during demonstrations disputing President Biya’s victory. Ekane’s death is expected to intensify scrutiny of Cameroon’s detention conditions and the state’s handling of political dissent.
Meanwhile, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, whose supporters were among those detained alongside Ekane, remains in Gambia, where he is being hosted on humanitarian grounds.
For many Cameroonians, Ekane’s death marks not just the loss of a political figure but the silencing of a long-standing voice calling for justice, political accountability and peaceful democratic transition.
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Regional Parallels
Ekane’s death has drawn comparisons across East and Central Africa, where concerns over the treatment of political detainees continue to emerge.
In Kenya, the recent death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody in June 2025 sparked nationwide outrage and calls for accountability.
His family disputed police claims about the circumstances of his death, and investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority led to the arrest of several officers.
Human rights groups say his case reflects long-standing worries about excessive force, impunity and the vulnerability of political critics once detained.
In Uganda, the experience of long-serving opposition figure Kizza Besigye remains a symbol of persistent pressure on political dissent.
Besigye has spent years facing repeated arrests, house restrictions and police confinement, with his movements and activities regularly curtailed.
His plight continues to be cited by regional observers as an example of how state power can be used to limit political competition and silence critics.
For many in the region, these cases, alongside Ekane’s death in Cameroon, reinforce a broader fear that political dissent can still come at a heavy personal cost, and that protections for detainees remain alarmingly fragile.
