Anicet Ekane, the prominent opposition leader in Cameroon, has died at the age of 74 after weeks of detention, according to his family and lawyers. Allegations have surfaced that he received inadequate medical care during his time in custody, leading to concerns about his treatment while incarcerated.
Ekane was arrested in late October 2023 alongside other members of his party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy. His detention followed widespread protests against alleged fraud in the presidential election held on October 12, where Paul Biya, the world’s oldest president at 92, was declared the winner. Charges of insurrection were levied against Ekane, as confirmed by his lawyer, Emmanuel Simh.
Allegations of Medical Negligence
Simh expressed deep concern regarding the conditions of Ekane’s detention, stating, “Mr. Ekane was critically sick, he was denied appropriate treatment.” He emphasized the need for accountability, questioning the legitimacy of Ekane’s arrest and the circumstances surrounding his death. Ekane’s family reported that he struggled to breathe in the days leading up to his passing, with his eldest son, Muna Ekane, noting that his father faced significant respiratory issues while in detention.
Muna Ekane criticized the authorities for failing to act on his father’s deteriorating health. He stated, “For one week, he had difficulties breathing; he was suffocating.” Despite alerts to public authorities regarding his father’s condition, Muna claimed that no effective intervention was made. The family believes that Ekane’s arrest was politically motivated, stemming from his support for rival candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who fled to Gambia shortly after the election results were announced.
Government Response and Investigation
In an official statement, Cameroon’s defense ministry confirmed Ekane’s death, attributing it to an unspecified illness. They asserted that he had been hospitalized at the National Gendarmerie Military Medical Center and was receiving care from both military and personal physicians. The ministry announced that an investigation into the circumstances of his death has been initiated.
Following the announcement of the election results, protests erupted in several opposition strongholds across Cameroon. Reports indicate that at least 16 people were killed during these demonstrations, while opposition leaders and human rights organizations estimate the death toll to be over 55.
Ekane’s party has labeled his death as “murder” on social media, igniting further outrage among supporters and human rights advocates. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of Ekane’s death highlight ongoing tensions within Cameroon’s political landscape, raising critical questions about the treatment of political prisoners and the legitimacy of the current administration.