Anicet Ekane died of natural causes in custody, authorities said Tuesday, after his arrest following a disputed presidential election.
The government announced his death days after the vote returned veteran leader Paul Biya to power for an eighth term. Ekane, 74, was detained in Douala on October 24, one day before official results were published.
Authorities accused him of fomenting violent protests linked to post-election unrest across the country. A defence ministry statement broadcast on public radio cited a forensic report ruling out any traumatic injuries.
The report concluded that serious pre-existing illnesses caused his death, describing a patient with a heavy medical history. Ekane had publicly backed opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claimed victory and rejected the official outcome.
He led the African Movement for the New Independence of Cameroon party for several years. Foreign missions from Britain, Canada and the European Union called for a transparent investigation into the death.
Prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto denounced the incident as a “state crime” and demanded accountability. Ekane’s family said he was detained arbitrarily and held in inhuman conditions inside prison facilities.
Relatives alleged authorities confiscated a respiratory device he relied on daily for medical assistance. Lawyers for the family said judicial officials were aware of his worsening health condition.
They added that repeated alerts were sent as his condition deteriorated behind closed doors. State television reported that Ekane’s body was handed over to his family on Monday.
Biya, in power for nearly 43 years, secured another seven-year mandate in the October 2025 election. Only Cameroon’s second leader since independence in 1960, he has faced decades of unrest and separatist violence.
Bakary, a former minister turned opposition challenger, energised young voters and declared himself the rightful winner. His calls to defend the claimed victory sparked protests that security forces swiftly and forcefully suppressed.