Famous Deaths Which Shocked Cameroonians In 2014

Charles Ateba Eyene: (FEBRUARY 21 2014)

The death of the 42 year old political activist and author sent shock waves through the nation. Outspoken and blunt, Ateba Eyene fearlessly took on topics which many found taboo, such as homosexuality, occultism, corruption etc. The self-proclaimed "Biyaist" and fervent supporter of the head of state, was nonetheless a harsh critic of members of his party, the CPDM. 

Ateba Eyene was a widower, he died after a brief illness on Feb. 21, at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital.  Continue for more on personalities who died in 2014

Adolphe Papi Doumbe: (JANUARY 29 2014)

He was a well known politician and high-ranking official of the Union des Populations du Cameroun, UPC, an erstwhile journalist and a writer. Adolphe Papi Doumbe, at the time of his death, had just been elected as municipal councillor at the Douala 5 council on the UPC ticket. He succumbed to heart disease on Wednesday Jan. 29. 

Lapiro De Mbanga: (MARCH 16 2014)

Born in 1957, Lambo Pierre Roger aka Lapiro De Mbanga, took a self imposed exile which sent him to Nigeria and Gabon during the 80's. He returned to Cameroon in 1985, where he proceeded to compose and record hard-hitting songs. Lapiro through his music became a mouthpiece for the downtrodden. His hits of that period included “No Make Erreur,” “Pas argent no love,” “Kop Nie,” “Mimba We,” and “Na You.” Lapiro De Mbanga was arrested on April 9, 2008, and charged with “complicity in looting, destruction of property, arson, obstructing streets, degrading public or classified property, and forming illegal gatherings. On September 24, 2008, he was sentenced by the Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI) to three years in the New Bell prison near Douala. The local hero died on Sunday the 16th of March 2014 in a hospital in New York in the USA were he had been residing for a few years.

Catherine Abena: (MARCH 19 2014)

The former Secretary of State for Secondary Education, was arrested on Jan. 08 2010 and spent a year at the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison , for alleged embezzlement of public funds amounting to FCFA 20 million. She left prison for hospital, after embarking on a hunger strike and losing consciousness a week after. She was prone to persistent illness after that. Catherine Abena died on Wednesday March 19, at the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS) hospital in Yaounde, on the eve of her 60th birthday. 

Pius Ottou: (MARCH 24 2014)

Prof. Pius Ottou was a prominent economist and social critic,and University don, a well known face on Tv discussion programmes. He constantly lamented gross mismanagement of public funds in Cameroon. The Central Commitee member was a close friend of his CPDM party colleague, Charles Ateba Eyene.

Pius Ottou was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and died on March 24, at the Jamot Hospital in Yaounde.

Fon Njifua Fontem: (APRIL 02 2014)

Fon Njifua was the Traditional ruler of Fontem, Lebialem Division, South West Region. He was equally the president of the South West Chiefs Conference, a Senator, and Questor of the Upper House. Fon Njifua "went missing" aged 55.

Albert Ebosse: (AUGUST 23 2014)

The Cameroonian striker who played for the Algerian football club JS Kabylie, was initially said to have died from head injuries resulting from being hit by an object thrown by angry club fans during an August 24 match. 

However, Ebosse's family was not satisfied with that account, and requested an independent set of post-mortem tests, which showed that the player had been killed as a result of brutal aggression amid signs of a struggle in the locker room. The autopsy showed evidence of a knife wound.

Mrs Rosette Mboutchouang: (OCTOBER 02 2014)

The death of the mother-in-law of the Head of State, and Mother of First Lady Mrs Chantal Biya, stunned the entire nation. Mama Rosette as she was fondly called, was also Mayor of Bangou in the West region. She passed away on Oct. 02, in a South African Hospital.

Bochong Francis Nkwain: (OCTOBER 19 2014)

Francis Nkwain was a member of government for ten years. He served successively in 3 government positions fom 1987 to 1997 as Minister Dlegate in Charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Minister of Mines, Water, and Energy, and Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth. He was indeed very instrumental to Cameroon being admitted to the 'Gentlemen's Club'. He was one of the 30 senators appointed by the Head of State in 2013. He passed on aged 83 at the Yaounde Central Hospital.

Prof. Jikong Stephen Yeriwa: (NOVEMBER 15 2014)

His died on the same day his peer at the Senate, Francis Nkwain, was being laid to rest. Senator Jikong Stephen was a renowned University Don, and held several other posts of responsibility. He was equally the Traditional Ruler of Jator village, Donga Mantung Division, North West.

Anne Nkwain Nsang: (NOVEMBER 30 2014)

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching death of 2014, was that of Anne Nsang. This, as she had just buried her father, the month before. The beautiful and talented journalist and United Nations Information Officer had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung cancer, and had been bravely undergoing treatment in the United States. She was buried yesterday December 20.

 Rest in Peace to all the departed, and may 2015 be a brighter year for Cameroon.