Thousands mourn slain Congolese singer Idengo
Thousands of Congolese mourners gathered in Beni to pay final respects to Delcat Idengo, a popular singer known for his bold criticism of both the government and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, who was shot dead last month. The emotional funeral procession followed a car-shaped coffin from the morgue past Idengo's recording studio before reaching the cemetery, with crowds hailing him as a "revolutionary hero."
Human Rights Watch has reported that Idengo was killed by M23 fighters at his home in Goma, eastern Congo's largest city, "in an apparently non combat situation." The rebel group has dismissed these claims as falsehoods without directly addressing whether their fighters were responsible for his death.
The funeral was marred by violence when tensions escalated between mourners and police, resulting in clashes where officers reportedly opened fire on the crowd. According to witnesses, two people were killed in the incident. Beni's mayor, Jacob Nyofondo Tekodale, acknowledged and expressed regret over the violence that disrupted the burial.
Idengo, whose real name was Delphin Katembo, had a history of using his music as a platform for activism, which frequently led to trouble with authorities. He had been arrested multiple times for songs critical of the government, including a 2021 detention for allegedly insulting President Felix Tshisekedi.
Just one day before his death, Idengo had released a new song titled "Bunduki Za kwetu" ("Weapons from home" in Swahili), which criticized armed groups including the M23 rebels. His outspoken stance against both government corruption and rebel violence had earned him widespread popularity among Congolese citizens frustrated with the ongoing conflict.
The circumstances of Idengo's death and the subsequent unrest at his funeral highlight the persistent instability in eastern Congo, where ongoing conflicts between government forces and various rebel groups continue to impact civilian lives, with artists like Idengo caught in the crossfire for speaking truth to power.
