A leading Cameroonian opposition figure, Anicet Ekane, has died in detention five weeks after his arrest, sparking outrage and demands for an independent investigation. The 74-year-old's death on Monday at a military medical facility has cast a harsh spotlight on the country's tense political climate following a bitterly contested presidential election.

For Kenyans, the incident is a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic space and the critical role of a vocal opposition. The death of a political figure in state custody resonates deeply, echoing concerns about state accountability that have shaped Kenya's own multi-party journey.

Ekane, leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), was a key figure in a coalition that endorsed Issa Tchiroma Bakary in the October 12 presidential election. Bakary has since fled to The Gambia, claiming he was the rightful winner of the poll officially won by 92-year-old incumbent Paul Biya, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.

A Cloud of Suspicion

Ekane was arrested on October 24 and held on charges including insurrection and incitement to revolt, though his lawyers contend he was never formally charged before a judge. His party alleges he was deliberately denied access to crucial medication and an oxygen concentrator that were left in his impounded vehicle. "We spent the whole week alerting public authorities about his worsening health situation but nothing was done," Muna Ekane, the leader's eldest son, told the Associated Press.

The government has refuted these claims. Cameroon's Defence Ministry stated that Ekane suffered from "various chronic illnesses" and received "appropriate care" from military doctors in consultation with his own physicians. President Biya has ordered an investigation into the circumstances of the death, but many opposition supporters remain skeptical.

Echoes Across the Continent

The events in Cameroon underscore a wider continental struggle for political renewal and transparent governance. President Biya has ruled since 1982, and the recent election was marred by protests and a deadly crackdown on dissent. The detention of opposition figures is a tactic that raises alarms for human rights advocates across Africa, including in Kenya where activists have recently condemned arbitrary arrests.

While the political contexts differ, the fundamental questions are the same: How are states held accountable? How is dissent protected? Ekane's death in custody sends a chilling message that extends far beyond Cameroon's borders.

The final, grim detail reported by Ekane's party—that his wife was simply called to the medical facility and presented with his body—has galvanized calls for justice. As Cameroon braces for further political fallout, observers across Africa are watching closely, reminded that the price of political freedom can be devastatingly high.