YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — Cameroon is reeling after the death of Anicet Ekane, a prominent opposition figure and longtime critic of President Paul Biya, who died while in state custody. His passing has sparked grief and indignation across the country.
Circumstances of Death
Defense lawyer Maître Ngouana Ulrich Juvénal said legal teams were notified early Wednesday morning and rushed to the national gendarmerie’s medical center, where they found Ekane’s lifeless body.
Ekane’s health had reportedly deteriorated in recent days. “When we last saw him on Tuesday, he was severely ill, barely able to speak. He insisted on seeing his pulmonologist and requested transfer to a hospital for appropriate care,” Ngouana said.
Civil Society Reaction
Civil society groups condemned Ekane’s detention. Cyrille Rolande Bechon, Coordinator of the NGO New Human Rights, described the death as “a shock to civil society,” calling his 30-day detention “arbitrary” and a violation of Cameroon’s international commitments.
Calls for Accountability
As the country grapples with the loss, many in Douala and beyond are demanding accountability and justice, with opposition figures and activists warning that Ekane’s death underscores the risks faced by political dissenters in Cameroon.