The seals on the remains of Anicet Ekane, a prominent Cameroonian opposition figure who died in detention, have been lifted, allowing his family to retrieve his body for burial after three months.
In Cameroon, the seals on the remains of Anicet Ekane, a notable figure in the opposition, were lifted on February 23 by the government's commissioner at the military tribunal. This decision came after two requests from the family's lawyers, nearly three months after Ekane's death on December 1, 2025, at the Secretary of State for Defense (SED) in Yaoundé. His arrest and subsequent transfer to the detention center raised suspicions among his relatives, who claimed the circumstances were dubious.
The lifting of the seals will enable Ekane's family to finally take possession of his remains, which had been stored at the central hospital morgue in Yaoundé for 85 days. This long wait has been a period of significant distress for his family, who desired to provide him with a dignified burial. The next steps will involve organizing funeral arrangements to honor Ekane's legacy as an opposition leader.
This situation reflects broader issues in Cameroon regarding human rights, the treatment of political dissidents, and the accountability of state authorities in cases of detentions that lead to untimely deaths. The case of Anicet Ekane could rekindle discussions on the rule of law, civil liberties, and the need for transparency in the state's handling of opposition figures, especially as the country grapples with political tensions.
