Cameroon Opposition Leader Anicet Ekane Passes Away While Detained
Ekane, 74, who led the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), was taken into custody on October 24 alongside fellow opposition activists during demonstrations condemning alleged electoral manipulation in the October 12 ballot that granted 92-year-old President Paul Biya another presidential term. Authorities charged him with hostility against the state and incitement of insurrection, his legal representative disclosed.
MANIDEM announced Monday that the political leader died in arbitrary detention at the State Secretariat for Defense (SED) in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, after "being deprived for several days of his oxygen extractor, the medical equipment he needed, as well as access to his pulmonologist."
"It is a crime of state, the unacceptable treatment inflicted on Anicet Ekane, who had always fought for liberties, social justice, sovereignty and the dignity of the Cameroonian people," the party stated.
Augusta Epanya, a MANIDEM executive member, characterized the opposition leader's death as "a political assassination."
His attorney, Emmanuel Simh, told AP that Ekane was "critically sick" but was denied appropriate treatment by the authorities.
Government officials have rejected claims that Ekane was refused medical care, maintaining he received "appropriate care" from military doctors and his physicians while in custody.
Cameroon's minister of communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, has expressed the government's condolences to Ekane's family and said President Biya has ordered an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
The death occurs amid accusations of widespread repression following Biya—the world's oldest head of state—being declared victor with 53.66 percent of the vote in an election cycle marked by the disqualification of prominent challengers. At least 55 individuals were killed in post-election violence as security personnel deployed tear gas and live rounds to scatter protesters, Human Rights Watch reported.
Biya's primary challenger, former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, had proclaimed himself the legitimate winner and called on supporters to defend his victory. He escaped to Gambia last month, where authorities indicate he has received asylum on humanitarian grounds.
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