Delphin Katembo Vinywasiki, widely known as Delcat Idengo, a popular musician in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was tragically killed while filming a music video in Goma, a city currently engulfed in conflict. His body was discovered on Thursday, bearing signs of a violent death, with reports suggesting he may have been shot.
Idengo was renowned for his bold and critical lyrics, addressing both the government and rebel forces. His latest song, “Bunduki” (Swahili for “weapon”), condemned the occupation of Goma by the M23 rebels. His untimely death has further stoked fears and tensions in North Kivu, a region already suffering from ongoing violence.
The killing of the artist comes amid intense fighting in eastern DRC, where various armed groups and government forces are battling for control of the mineral-rich area. M23, a rebel group backed by Rwanda, recently captured Goma in late January, leading to significant displacement and casualties. UN estimates indicate that around 2,900 people have been killed and 700,000 others forced to flee their homes in recent hostilities.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya condemned the killing, blaming M23 and calling it an “abominable act.” However, M23 shifted the blame to government-aligned forces, urging them to surrender their weapons. The escalating conflict has now seen M23 pushing towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, despite regional peace efforts.
Idengo’s assassination has sparked outrage and protests in Beni, his hometown, where demonstrators demanded justice. Social media footage showed his lifeless body on the ground in the Kilijiwe area of northern Goma, where he had been filming. Witnesses reported that he was wearing military-style trousers for the video when he was attacked and died instantly.
The Congolese Ministry of Arts and Culture described his death as an “assassination,” honoring him as a musician who “carried the aspirations and hopes of an entire generation.” His political activism had previously landed him in trouble with authorities. He was jailed last year for allegedly inciting violence against UN peacekeepers and, in 2021, was prosecuted for insulting President Félix Tshisekedi. Although initially sentenced to ten years in prison, he was later acquitted.
Opposition leaders, including Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi, have strongly condemned the killing. Fayulu mourned Idengo as a “patriot committed to national cohesion,” while Katumbi demanded that those responsible be swiftly brought to justice.
As the region remains unstable, Idengo’s death serves as another stark reminder of the dangers facing artists and activists in conflict zones. His voice may have been silenced, but his message continues to resonate across the DRC.
