Popular Congolese musician Delphin Katembo Vinywasiki, widely known as Delcat Idengo, has been killed while filming a music video in the conflict-hit eastern town of Goma. His body was found on Thursday in the streets of the city, with his head partially covered in blood. Unconfirmed reports suggest he was shot.
Idengo was renowned for his politically charged music, often critical of both the Congolese government and armed groups operating in the region. His latest track, Bunduki—which means “weapon” in Swahili—condemned the rebel occupation of Goma, which fell to the M23 rebel group in late January.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. The Congolese government has blamed the M23, with government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya condemning the killing as an “abominable act” and vowing that “justice will be done.” However, the M23 rebels have denied responsibility, instead accusing government-aligned forces of being behind the musician’s murder.
Idengo was among hundreds of inmates who escaped from prison in Goma after M23 militants seized the city last month. His killing has intensified fears of further violence in eastern DRC, where armed groups and government forces continue to battle for control of the mineral-rich region.
The latest UN figures indicate that around 2,900 people have been killed and nearly 700,000 displaced in the recent wave of fighting, as tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali escalate over Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebellion—a charge Rwanda denies.
