Stakeholders pay homage to MANIDEM leader, Anicet Eakane.

In a special online broadcast, several compatriots from across the globe, gave varying testimonies of their encounters with Ekane who animated the country’s political landscape for decades.

Self-exiled Cameroon National Salvation Front, FSNC party leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, used the broadcast to recall his several encounters with Ekane.

Tchiroma recalled having known Ekane since the 90s, adding that he was like a brother with whom they exchanged on several issues even when they disagreed politically.

In the built up to October 12, 2025 presidential election, Tchiroma said he didn’t hesitate to accept the platform of Union for Change which Ekane was part of.

Tchiroma said the MANIDEM leader had told him that he felt it was time for him to get every form of support to change the leadership of the country.

Tchiroma also disclosed that while he served as Minister of Communication, Ekane visited one day and labelled him “the greatest manipulator in history”.

The FSNC leader said he has listened to the outpour of tribute to Ekane since he died but noted that, the best way to keep his legacy is to continue the fight for change. 

“…the heritage Ekane left for us is to carry on from where he has left,” Tchiroma stated 

He declared that: “…Nobody will safe us. There is no friendly nation on earth. Every nation is looking at their interest whenever need arises…”.

For Barrister Nguefack Augustin, Ekane was a humanist who worked for the country. “He was a man who worked for the people and I understood,” the lawyer stated.

‘Let’s get inspiration from his courage…’

To Barrister Michel Ndoki, Ekane will be remembered as one of those who inspired the possibility of a new Cameroon. 

She stated that people should not just mourn but gain inspiration from his courage to fight for a better Cameroon.

Another Cameroonian, Bernard Ngalim, shared the view that Ekane left a mark in the heart of most Anglophones when he stood for a united opposition front to face President Paul Biya in the 2025 presidential poll.

Ngalim said the change in perception of Ekane from Anglophones is contrary to his position on the armed conflict in the North West and South West regions in which the deceased kept referencing Kamerun of the German era.

He noted that Ekane saw a society that needed redemption and sacrificed himself and position. Ngalim also described the late MANIDEM leader as a martyr. 

‘Was a man of strength, character’

Veteran journalist, Eric Chinje, used Sunday’s tribute session to praise Ekane’s “…strength of character and at a time Cameroon is in dire trouble”. 

Chinje said God gives every nation what it deserves “in terms of the quality of the people who can help the country find its soul and I think Anicet was that kind of person”.

He remembered first meeting him on the day then Prince Charles now King Charles visited Cameroon. Chinje said while he and Charles Ndongo were being flown from Douala to Yaounde, they were told not to talk to some people.

He disclosed that it turned out that Ekane, Harriette Ekwe, the late Barrister Yondo Black and others were those inside the plane. He stated that they had been branded as people who wanted to destroy the country. 

Chinje said eventually he reached out w and became friends them later on in life. The former CRTV journalist stated that, he only later heard of Ekane’s arrest and death after he had reached out to him on a project. He described Ekane as an icon. 

“He was sent to us to remind us of the soul of our nation,” that has lost direction, Chinje quipped.

Another veteran journalist, Xavier Messe, said Ekane will be remembered for always fighting against for justice, peace and love. “I think Anicet did all that,” she indicated.

‘Politician who prioritized citizen’s interest’

One time presidential candidate, Edith Kah Walla, shared encountering Ekane after returning to the country in December 1989 from the United States.

“…when I arrived in December of that year, there was a strong movement of change and Anicet Ekane was part of it. That figure of Anicet Ekane of the 90s is the picture that captivates me the most,” Kah Walla stated.

She told other members on set that Ekane played politics that placed citizens above the politician. 

“He was a leader who was very connected to the grassroots. He played politics that touched on the issues of Cameroonians,” the Cameroon People’s Party, CPP, leader noted.

‘Died with his head high’

On his part, the Vice National President of the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement, MRC, Mamadou Mota, noted that Ekane died with his head high for standing up to the regime. 

The MRC Vice president opined that, it is better Ekane didn’t die through a road accident but for things that can benefit women and children and citizens in general. He said the MANIDEM leader will be remembered for the right reasons.

‘Window to work for a new Cameroon’

Akere Muna recollected of Ekane among other things, his contribution to the mobilisation for Issa Tchiroma’s candidacy during the October 2025 presidential poll. 

Ekane’s death, he surmised, could have opened an opportunity for citizens to hope and work for a better future for Cameroon.

The MANIDEM leader died in detention on December 1, 2025 in detention aged 74. He was arrested on October 24 of the same year days to the proclamation of presidential election results.

Judiciary official confiscated his corpse and later released it to the family on February 23. On February 24, the Ministry of Defence issued a released indicating that, Ekane ‘died of natural cause’. 

His relatives later ferried the corpse to a morgue in Douala on March 3. His funeral is yet to take place. 

This article article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3735 of Wednesday March 18, 2026