The Independentist Contributor M. C. Folo, writes to the editorial team on the death of Cameroons opposition political figure Anicet Ekane

Letter to the Editor

Subject: Patriotism on Trial: What Anicet Ekane’s Death Says About Cameroon

Sir/Madam,

The death of Georges Anicet Ekane on 1 December 2025 while in state custody has sparked more than grief. It has revived a profound question at the heart of our national life: Who is the true patriot — the one who enforces silence or the one who demands justice?

Ekane, a committed critic of entrenched authority and foreign interference, built his political career on the pursuit of sovereignty and dignity for all Cameroonians. His arrest in late October, followed by his death weeks later, raises difficult but unavoidable concerns. His family alleges medical neglect. Authorities promise investigations. Human rights organisations call for independent oversight. In moments like this, transparency is not optional — it is the test of institutional credibility.

Today, Cameroon faces two competing definitions of patriotism. One claims loyalty means obedience and order, even when state force prevails over due process. The other insists that democracy is strengthened not by quiet submission but by citizens who challenge abuses and defend rights.

If Ekane’s death teaches us anything, it is that a republic confident in its legitimacy does not fear dissent. Political opponents should not die in detention. Accountability must not be postponed until memory fades. The call for a fully independent forensic inquiry is not a political demand — it is a patriotic necessity.

To honour both stability and justice, Cameroon must protect the safety of detainees, ensure access to legal and medical care, and make investigative findings public. Our country is strongest when its institutions are trusted by those who disagree with them.

The measure of patriotism is not who holds power, but who stands for the people when power goes too far. Ekane understood that love of country sometimes requires confronting its rulers. His legacy now challenges the nation to prove that justice is not a privilege — but a right for all.

Yours faithfully,
M. C. Folo