LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Subject: Justice for Anicet Ekane: A Murder That Cannot Be Buried
Dear Editor,
The brutal death of Anicet Ekane has shaken our nation’s conscience. We must resist every attempt to bury the truth under propaganda and political convenience.
First, Ekane played a vital role in building a unified opposition front for the October presidential election — a project supported by civil society and political movements that had long been silenced or sidelined by the ruling establishment. His integrity and determination to give citizens a real choice made him a direct threat to those who rely on fraudulent power to survive.
Second, Ekane and his allies rejected the official election results, insisting that the candidate declared victorious did not reflect the will of the people. He was among the few leaders who gathered and publicly shared credible results from polling stations nationwide to expose massive irregularities. His voice became a symbol of hope for millions — and a threat to those benefiting from the status quo.
Third, the conditions surrounding his death are deeply alarming. Ekane died in custody at the SED military detention center in Yaoundé just weeks after his arrest. Reports indicate that he suffered from severe respiratory distress yet was denied urgent medical treatment, including oxygen. His family and lawyers raised repeated concerns about his condition, but his health was allowed to deteriorate. Many opposition leaders and human-rights advocates have rightly condemned his death as a politically motivated killing disguised as a medical failure.
Today, we must ask a simple but urgent question: Who benefits from the silencing of a man whose only crime was telling the truth?
Late Mr. Ekane was not merely a politician — he was a principled reformer whose commitment to democracy struck fear into those who fear accountability. Attempts to reduce his death to administrative excuses or to smother public outrage under official statements must be rejected.
Justice must not be selective. Those involved — whether politically, institutionally, or operationally — must be confronted with the law. An independent investigation is needed, without interference, intimidation, or censorship.
The people of Cameroon — and especially the grieving family of Anicet Ekane — deserve truth, justice, and accountability. Silence now would be complicity.
Sincerely,
[Name withheld for safety]
