Death of Anicet Ekane: Ministry of Defense concludes natural death

The authorities concluded that the body had died of natural causes, and also announced that the body had been unsealed.

Aged 74, Anicet Ekane was president of the Mouvement Africain pour la Nouvelle Indépendance et la Démocratie (MANIDEM).
Security forces arrested him in Douala after the presidential election of October 12, 2025.
His death provoked numerous political and social reactions.
Several players called for a rapid clarification of the circumstances.

The Ministry of Defense has forwarded the autopsy report to the Government Commissioner.
The experts carried out the autopsy at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal.
A professor and two doctors carried out the forensic examination.
The specialists carried out additional tests in Switzerland.
The Centre universitaire romand de médecine légale analyzed samples.

The findings show a complete absence of traumatic injuries or physical violence. Instead, the specialists point to serious pre-existing pathologies in a patient with a long medical history. The report formally concludes that the death was natural, ruling out any third-party responsibility.

Following the submission of the report, the Government Commissioner ordered the immediate unsealing of Anicet Ekane's body. The management of the Yaoundé Central Hospital was instructed to proceed with the return of the remains to the rightful claimants, so that the funeral could be organized.

Anicet Ekane's death occurred in a tense political climate, marked by post-election protests. Several politicians expressed their concerns, calling for transparency in the circumstances surrounding his death.

Although the authorities consider the judicial aspect of the case to be closed following the autopsy conclusions, the case continues to provoke reactions and comments from the public.

Anita MENOUNGA