Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died in detention, five weeks after he was arrested, his lawyers and party have announced. Ekane, 74, was among the leaders of an opposition coalition who endorsed Issa Tchiroma Bakary in October's presidential election. Tchiroma Bakary claims he was the rightful winner of the poll, which was officially won by 92-year-old incumbent Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982.
No official cause of Ekane's death has been announced. His party has accused the authorities of denying him access to his medication— a charge the government has denied. According to a spokesman for Ekane's African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem) party, he died on Monday morning at a military medical facility after his health worsened over the weekend.
We have no clarification. His wife had been called to come and when she found herself there, she was just presented the corpse of her husband, he said.
Defence ministry spokesman Capt Cyrille Serge Atonfack stated that Ekane died from illness but did not provide further details. He acknowledged that Ekane had chronic health issues and assured that he received appropriate medical care following his arrest on October 24.
Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi expressed the government's condolences and announced an investigation into the circumstances of Ekane's death.
Prominent anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described his death as the extinguishing of a fierce and passionate flame that sought democratic freedoms. Muna criticized the government's neglect, emphasizing that Ekane had communicated concerns about his declining health prior to his death.
Ekane had been charged with hostility against the state and incitement to violence but was never presented in court. This incident has ignited public outrage, with protests occurring at party headquarters and social media buzzing with calls for justice. The Manidem party's premises have reportedly been surrounded by security forces amid escalating tensions.
In the backdrop of political discontent, Ekane's supporters reflect on the continuous struggle for democratic reforms as allegations of electoral malpractice hang over the embering political scene in Cameroon.
No official cause of Ekane's death has been announced. His party has accused the authorities of denying him access to his medication— a charge the government has denied. According to a spokesman for Ekane's African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem) party, he died on Monday morning at a military medical facility after his health worsened over the weekend.
We have no clarification. His wife had been called to come and when she found herself there, she was just presented the corpse of her husband, he said.
Defence ministry spokesman Capt Cyrille Serge Atonfack stated that Ekane died from illness but did not provide further details. He acknowledged that Ekane had chronic health issues and assured that he received appropriate medical care following his arrest on October 24.
Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi expressed the government's condolences and announced an investigation into the circumstances of Ekane's death.
Prominent anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described his death as the extinguishing of a fierce and passionate flame that sought democratic freedoms. Muna criticized the government's neglect, emphasizing that Ekane had communicated concerns about his declining health prior to his death.
Ekane had been charged with hostility against the state and incitement to violence but was never presented in court. This incident has ignited public outrage, with protests occurring at party headquarters and social media buzzing with calls for justice. The Manidem party's premises have reportedly been surrounded by security forces amid escalating tensions.
In the backdrop of political discontent, Ekane's supporters reflect on the continuous struggle for democratic reforms as allegations of electoral malpractice hang over the embering political scene in Cameroon.
