YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – December 3, 2025 – Veteran opposition leader Anicet Ekane, 74, has died while detained at a military facility in Yaoundé, an event prompting immediate international demands for an independent investigation into his treatment and the circumstances of his death.
Cameroon is facing a major political crisis following the death of veteran opposition leader Anicet Ekane, 74, while in military detention. His death after 38 days in custody has triggered international condemnation and planned nationwide protests, casting a harsh spotlight on President Paul Biya’s government.
Ekane, the leader of the left-wing African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), died on December 1 at the State Defense Secretariat (SED) in Yaoundé, where he was being held on charges of “insurrection and rebellion.”
A Timeline of Detention and Deterioration
The sequence of events paints a picture of rapidly escalating concern:
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October 24, 2025: Ekane was arrested in Douala after publicly endorsing opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who contested President Biya’s disputed re-election.
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October 25 – November 30: Detained at the SED, a facility notorious for holding security detainees. His lawyers and family reported he was repeatedly denied adequate medical care as his health declined.
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November 15: Cameroonian civil society groups began vocal campaigns demanding his release, citing arbitrary detention and inhumane conditions.
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December 1: Ekane died in custody. Accounts from individuals with knowledge of the situation allege he suffered severe respiratory distress in his final hours.
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December 2: Global human rights organizations reacted swiftly. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International issued parallel statements condemning the circumstances of his death and calling for an immediate, independent investigation.
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December 3: A coalition of opposition parties announced plans for nationwide protests, declaring Ekane’s death a “political assassination” and a symbol of Cameroon’s democratic backsliding.
The Man and His Legacy
Anicet Ekane was a stalwart of Cameroon’s opposition for over three decades. Known for his intellectual approach and unwavering principles, he built MANIDEM on a platform of national sovereignty, social justice, and radical democratic reform. His career was defined by persistent, outspoken criticism of the corruption and longevity of President Biya’s 40-plus-year rule.
“Ekane was a man of conviction, not violence. His crime was daring to offer a political alternative,” said a fellow opposition leader who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. “His death in state custody is a chilling message to all who oppose the regime.”
Government Silence and Growing Fury
As of this reporting, the Cameroonian government has not released an official statement on the cause of Ekane’s death nor responded to the allegations of medical neglect. The silence from official channels has only fueled public anger and skepticism.
International observers are now watching closely. The planned protests threaten to reignite widespread unrest in a country already grappling with separatist conflict in its Anglophone regions and ongoing economic challenges.
The death of Anicet Ekane has transformed him from a persistent critic into a potent martyr for Cameroon’s opposition movement, setting the stage for a potentially volatile new chapter in the nation’s politics.
