Anicet Ekane
Anicet Ekane | |
|---|---|
 Anicet Ekane, c. 2017 | |
| Born | Georges Anicet Ekane 17 April 1951 Douala, Cameroon |
| Died | 1 December 2025 (aged 74) Yaounde, Cameroon |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1990â2025 |
| Known for | MANIDEM |
Anicet Ekane (17 April 1951 â 1 December 2025) was a Cameroonian politician, activist and intellectual who dedicated nearly five decades to the struggle for democracy and independence in Cameroon. He became a central figure in opposition politics, leading the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM).[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Georges Anicet Ekane was born on 17 April 1951 at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon.[1] His father, Ekan'a Mbongo n'a Ndongo, was a chief accountant at the Compagnie Soudanaise and built estates in Douala, Bomono, and near the Mungo River. His father had twenty-two children including Ekane.[2] He attended the Ăcole Principale d'Akwa (later Ăcole Publique d'Akwa), where he completed his Certificat d'Ătudes Primaires et ĂlĂ©mentaires (CEPE).[3] He studied at CollĂšge Liberman, then LycĂ©e Joss (where he obtained his probatoire). He later attended CollĂšge Alfred Saker and CollĂšge Saint Pierre de Lille (France), earning his BaccalaurĂ©at D.[3][4]
Political career
[edit]The "Affaire Yondo Black et autres" of 1990, where Yondo Black and Anicet Ekane were arrested and tried for attempting to create a political party outside the one-party system, was his primary highlight into the opposition movement in Cameroon.[5] Ekane became the leader of MANIDEM, a party advocating for African independence, democracy, and social justice.[1][6] He played a pivotal role in supporting opposition leader Maurice Kamto, allowing him to represent MANIDEM in the October elections. This move made Ekane a target of government repression.[7][8]
Arrest and death
[edit]Ekane's life has been cited[by whom?] as emblematic of resistance to authoritarian rule in Cameroon. He is regarded by some observers as a defender of democratic governance and national independence, despite facing significant personal consequences. He was arrested, designated a "terrorist" by authorities, and held under severe prison conditions. Ekane was arrested on 24 October 2025, in Douala, the day after the publication of presidential election results that returned the 92-year-old Biya to power. He was subsequently detained at the Secretary of State for Defence (SED) in Yaoundé.[9] He faced accusations of insurrection and rebellion for contesting the election results. Reports suggest he was denied adequate medical care and oxygen, contributing to his death on 1 December 2025, at the age of 74.[10][11][8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Djaleu, Armand (17 July 2025). "Voici le parcours impressionnant d'Anicet Ekane, l'homme derriĂšre l'investiture de Maurice Kamto". Actu Cameroun (in French). Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Souleymanou, Ludovic (29 July 2025). "Ădouard Kingue : Who is Anicet Ekane?". ĂCamer.com (in French). Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Anicet Ekane Biography".
- ^ "George Anicet Ekane, le candidat du Manidem". Manidem - Présidentielle 2011 (in French). Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Djaleu, Armand (1 May 2025). "Flash-Back : zoom sur l'affaire Yondo Black, Anicet Ekanet et les autres". Actu Cameroun (in French). Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ L, Alexandre (17 July 2025). "Document : Anicet Ekane validé par le Minat comme unique représentant du Manidem". Actu Cameroun (in French). Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Dictatorship killed Anicet Ekane - Cameroon News Agency". 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Cameroun : l'opposant Anicet Ekane est mort en détention". France 24 (in French). 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (1 December 2025). "Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane dies in detention". Vanguard News. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Cameroun : l'opposant Anicet Ekane est mort en détention". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Ndangue, Liliane (1 December 2025). "NĂ©crologie : Anicet Ekane est mort". Actu Cameroun (in French). Retrieved 1 December 2025.