Congolese musician sentenced to 10 years for demoralizing army

KIGALI, Rwanda - A military court in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced a musician to 10 years in prison for “demoralizing the army, contempt and inciting the population,” his lawyer said Saturday.

Delphin Katembo, alias Idengo, was arrested two months ago at a planned concert in Butembo and charged with demoralizing Congolese forces engaged in combat operations in the Beni and Butembo regions against rebels, inciting the public against the government and contempt of the institution of the presidency.

His lawyer, Patrick Mukomba, told reporters that the court said Katembo committed the offenses through his songs, “It's not normal” and “Erase the painting.”

Katembo who hails from Beni, one of the restive areas in the country, was detained at Munzenze central prison in Goma, where the ruling was announced.

His lawyer expressed “disappointment” with the sentence, describing it as “too harsh for someone who has only denounced what is happening [insecurity] in Beni.”

Mukomba said he would challenge the verdict in court.

Katembo was sentenced alongside his colleague Muyisa Nzanzu who was handed a two-year jail term.

The lawyer unsuccessfully challenged the court’s competence to try his client in November.

He was reportedly arrested by officers of the National Intelligence Agency while planning to perform a concert in Butembo.

During the hearing, Katembo admitted to composing and publishing the songs in question, telling the court that the songs conveyed a reminder to President Felix Tshisekedi about all his promises made to the citizens in the east and that of North Kivu in particular, during his electoral campaign in 2019.

Katembo cited campaign promises to put an end to the massacres of civilians and restore peace and security in the eastern part of the country.

The pledge has not been kept, Katembo insisted.

The prosecution had asked the court to sentence Katembo to 20 years.