Cameroon's army on Friday confirmed anglophone journalist Samuel Wazizi died in detention last year, accusing him of associating with terrorists while denying claims he had been tortured.

The army said Wazizi "died as a result of severe sepsis" last year on August 17 less than two weeks after his arrest, adding that his family had been notified -- a claim his lawyers refute.

Earlier in the week Cameroon's journalist union reported the death, saying the army had tortured Wazizi, who worked for a local TV channel in one of two regions where anglophone separatists have launched an armed campaign for independence from French-speaking Cameroon.