Who Was Delcat Idengo, the Congolese Singer Killed in Goma?

Delcat Idengo (also spelled as "Delcat Idinco" and Delcat Idingo"), born Delphin Katembo Vinyasiki, was fatally shot on Thursday, Feb. 13, in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, while filming a music video. A Congolese musician and activist, he was known for his politically charged songs addressing corruption, armed conflict, and governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His death has drawn significant attention to thegrowing insecurity in the region.

A voice for the people

Idengo's music often criticized government authorities and armed groups operating in eastern DRC. He was particularly vocal against the M23 rebel group and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), denouncing them as forces of occupation in Goma responsible for perpetuating violence, displacement, and insecurity in the region.

Among his notable works are "Politiciens Escrocs" ("Crooked Politicians") and "Pays des Prisonniers" ("Country of Prisoners"), which highlight issues of political corruption and social injustices in DR Congo. "Ils promettent le paradis, mais nous donnent l'enfer" ("They promise paradise, but give us hell"), he sang in "Politiciens Escrocs." "Notre pays est une prison sans murs" ("Our country is a prison without walls"), he lamented in "Pays des Prisonniers."

The circumstances of his death

Idengo had been in the middle of filming a music video for his latest release, "Bundukiza Kwetu" ("Our Guns"), which he had uploaded to his YouTube channel the day before his death. The lyrics specifically condemned M23 and ADF as occupying forces in Goma.

Voices of Congo broke the news of Idengo's deathon X on Thursday afternoon, local time, alleging that "Armed men linked to the M23 group opened fire on the musician while he was filming a music video for a song condemning the same Rwanda-backed movement." The tweet also included graphic images of Idengo lying on the floor, deceased. While filming, the singer had been wearing a military uniform and chanting, "M23 and ADF are the same thing: a policy of land occupation in Kivu,"according to reports.

A troubled region

Idengo's death comes amidrising tensions in North Kivu, where the Congolese military has been battling various armed groups, including the M23 rebel movement. The area has suffered from instability for decades, with millions displaced due to ongoing violence. Around350,000 people have been internally displaced from fighting around Goma and Minova from the most recent attacks.

Public outrage and calls for justice

Following news of his death, protestors haveflooded the streets of Beni, where Idengo was born, to demand justice. Opposition leader Martin Fayulu has called his killingan assassination and demanded a ceasefire.

The Congolese government has also condemned the killing of Delcat Idengo, with government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya describing it as an "abominable act" and attributing responsibility to the M23 rebels, who he also links to Rwanda. The M23 group, however, hasdenied involvement and instead accused government-aligned forces of the crime.

Congolese activists have also held the Congolese government responsible for his death, with Friends of Congo organizer Gaëtan-Dauphin Nzowo writing, "You are just as criminal as the M23," in response to Muyaya's post and describing President Tshisekedi’s administrationas a "blood-thirsty regime."