Cameroonian opposition leader Anicet Ekane, who backed a rival candidate in October’s presidential race, died in detention on Monday, his lawyer and family confirmed.

Ekane, 74, led the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) party.

He was arrested on October 24 after post-election protests, in what his party called a “kidnapping” by Cameroonian soldiers.

Authorities had charged him with hostility against the state, incitement to revolt and calls for insurrection accusations he denied.

His death comes at a time when anger remains high in Cameroon. Security forces recently killed 48 civilians while responding to demonstrations against the re-election of President Paul Biya, 92, who has ruled since 1982.

Ekane’s lawyer, Ngouana Ulrich Juvenal, said his client was barely able to speak during a visit just days before he died. His sister, Mariane Simon-Ekane, confirmed the news on Facebook.

In a statement on November 21, his party said Ekane’s oxygen concentrator and other essential medical devices were locked in his impounded vehicle at a military police station in Douala.

They accused the station commander of repeatedly preventing lawyers from retrieving the equipment, calling it a “flagrant human rights violation” amounting to a “programmed killing.”

Cameroonian authorities have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Ekane’s arrest, along with the detention of party member Florence Aimee Titcho and other supporters of presidential contender Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has drawn criticism from opposition groups demanding their immediate release.

Tchiroma fled to Gambia, where authorities say he is being hosted on humanitarian grounds. (Reuters)

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