Police in eastern Congo opened fire on mourners at the funeral of slain musician Delcat Idengo on Tuesday, killing two people, witnesses said.
Thousands gathered in Beni to pay their respects to Idengo, whose outspoken songs criticized both the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. His coffin, shaped like a car, was paraded through the streets as mourners chanted against both the rebels, who they blame for his death, and the government, which had repeatedly arrested him.
Idengo was shot last month in Goma after M23 rebels seized control of the city. Human Rights Watch has accused M23 fighters of killing him in a “noncombat situation,” though the group has denied the allegations.
Violence erupted in Beni after Idengo was buried, with police firing on the crowd. Witnesses reported two deaths.
“The musician Idengo has been buried in the presence of thousands. We regret the incidents that occurred during the funeral,” said Beni’s mayor, Jacob Nyofondo Tekodale.
Born Delphin Katembo, Idengo was arrested multiple times for his criticism of the government, including in 2021 for insulting President Félix Tshisekedi. He escaped from prison in Goma when M23 overran the city in January. The day before he was killed, he released a song condemning armed groups like M23.
M23 has rejected accusations of involvement in his death. Rwanda, which the UN says supports M23 with troops and weapons, denies backing the group, insisting its military acts in self-defense against Congolese forces and militias.
