Cameroon on Tuesday said opposition figure Anicet Ekane died of natural causes after being arrested following a disputed presidential election that returned Paul Biya to power for an eighth term.
The left-wing politician was arrested in the economic capital Douala on October 24 — the day before the poll results were published — for allegedly fomenting violent protests, according to the Cameroonian government.
A statement from the defence ministry read out on public radio Tuesday said a forensic report into the 74-year-old’s death in custody “concluded that the death was natural” and showed “a total absence of traumatic lesions”.
It said “serious pathologies… claimed the life of a patient with a heavy medical history”.
Ekane was arrested with other leaders who had publicly supported opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s claim of victory.
Ekane had led the African Movement for the New Independence of Cameroon (Manidem) party for several years.
The British, Canadian and European Union missions had all called for a transparent investigation into Ekane’s death.
Maurice Kamto, the main opposition figure in Cameroon, had expressed outrage, denouncing a “state crime”.
“He was, like other opponents, detained in a completely arbitrary manner and in inhuman conditions,” Ekane’s family had said, stating that a device that he used daily for respiratory assistance had been confiscated.
“His pathologies were clearly known to the judicial authorities,” added the family’s legal representatives, who say they alerted the authorities to the deterioration of the opponent’s state of health.
Ekane’s body was handed over to his family on Monday, according to state TV.
Biya, in power for nearly 43 years, was re-elected for seven years in the October 2025 election.
He is only the second person to lead Cameroon since independence from France in 1960.
He has ruled with an iron fist, repressing all political and armed opposition, and holding onto power in the face of social upheaval, economic inequality and separatist violence.
Bakary, a former minister who crossed over to the opposition, caused a stir by mobilising young people eager for change.
He declared himself the poll winner and repeatedly called for his victory to be defended, sparking protests that were brutally repressed
AFP
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayAdvertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com