The controversy surrounding the funeral of Anicet Ekane, a historical figure of the Cameroonian opposition and former president of Manidem, continues to provoke strong reactions. Alice Nkom, a lawyer and human rights activist, has spoken out to denounce what she considers an "assassination of reputations" targeting certain relatives of the deceased, notably Djeukam Tchameni.
In a statement published on May 8, Nkom criticizes the personal attacks and insinuations directed against personalities associated with Anicet Ekane. She calls for a peaceful debate of ideas, respectful of the memory of the deceased and the integrity of his relatives. "Attacking my sons to achieve obscure objectives is not politics: it is moral decay," she writes, without directly naming the authors of these criticisms.
The lawyer insists on the need to preserve national unity and not to build it on "infamy" or the questioning of reputations. She calls for an end to "dirtying" and for a respectful confrontation of ideas. This stance comes in a context of strong tensions surrounding the political legacy of Anicet Ekane and the personalities linked to his career.
Anicet Ekane died on December 1, 2025, while in detention, after being arrested in connection with the post-election unrest following the presidential election of October 2025. His death and the conditions of his detention had aroused the indignation of his family, his lawyers, and several human rights organizations. They denounced inhumane detention conditions and demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances of his death.
The funeral of Anicet Ekane has been marked by controversies, including a legal battle between his widow and his children regarding the organization of the funeral. Accusations of political manipulation have also been raised, with some of Ekane's relatives suspecting the ruling regime of seeking to divide the opposition. Despite these tensions, a tribute ceremony was organized by the diaspora on April 24, 2026. The funeral is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2026, in Bonoga, in the Mongo department.
