A funeral procession for a slain musician in eastern Congo turned deadly on Tuesday, with police opening fire on mourners and killing two people, witnesses reported.
The musician, Delcat Idengo, was known for his songs criticizing both the government and Rwandan-backed rebels occupying much of the country’s east.
Thousands gathered to pay their respects to Idengo, whose car-shaped coffin was trailed through the streets of his hometown Beni.
Mourners chanted against the M23 rebels, blaming them for Idengo’s killing last month after taking control of Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city.
Idengo, whose real name is Delphin Katembo, had a passionate following for his critical songs.
He was arrested several times, including in 2021 for insulting President Felix Tshisekedi. He escaped from prison in January when M23 swept into Goma.
Human Rights Watch reported that Idengo was shot by M23 fighters at his home in Goma “in an apparently noncombat situation.” M23 denied the accusation, but did not directly address whether its fighters killed him.
Rwanda denies supporting M23 with weapons and troops, despite UN accusations. The situation in eastern Congo remains tense, with renewed fighting reported as neighbors try to revive the peace process.
