The envoy made the remarks in a statement released after completing his diplomatic visit to Rwanda, where he held high-level discussions with government officials and international partners regarding the crisis in eastern DRC.

During his visit to Rwanda, Borgstam met with President Paul Kagame, Minister of Defence Juvenal Marizamunda, and Gen. (Rtd.) Kabarebe, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation.

Borgstam expressed concern over the escalation of conflict in eastern Congo, particularly the war involving M23 and Congolese coalition forces, including the FDLR militia, which consists of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Addressing Rwanda’s concerns about the genocidal group that continues to threaten its security, Borgstam stressed that the apprehensions must be respected. He also noted that the ethnic persecution of communities, particularly the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the east—which constitutes a central grievance of M23—must be addressed.

"We reiterate the responsibility of the DRC government to dismantle the FDLR militia. Additionally, we strongly condemn the rise of ethnic hate speech, which must be addressed by all governments in the region," he stated.

At the same time, the EU reaffirmed its support for African-led peace initiatives, stressing that there is no military solution to the crisis.

“We welcome the outcome of the EAC-SADC summit of February 8 and encourage all parties to engage in constructive dialogue,” Borgstam stated.

Borgstam’s remarks on the FDLR come even as the M23 rebel group, which recently captured Goma and Bukavu, handed over Brigadier General Gakwerere Ezechiel, a senior member of the DRC-based FDLR genocidal militia, along with 13 other fighters, to Rwandan authorities on Saturday, March 1.

Among those transferred were senior FDLR officer Major Ndayambaje Gilbert and several junior fighters.

Brig. Gen. Gakwerere, who was dressed in a newly issued uniform of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), is known by multiple aliases, including Sibomana Stany, Julius Mokoko, and Sibo Stany. His capture, along with other FDLR members, has raised fresh concerns about the DRC’s alleged support for the militia, which Kigali has long accused of seeking to destabilize Rwanda.

Speaking at the border, Colonel Joseph Mwesigye, Commander of the Rwanda Defence Force’s 509th Brigade, dismissed claims that the FDLR is an aging, ineffective group with no operational capacity.

“You can see there are young people among them. Some claim the FDLR consists only of old men who are no longer a threat, but this shows otherwise. The ideology of genocide does not fade with age,” he asserted.

He further stated that the capture of these fighters provides concrete evidence that the FDLR remains active, despite Congolese authorities’ claims that the group is no longer a major force.

The FDLR fighters handed over were among those captured during clashes with the M23 in Goma and surrounding areas. While some fighters have fled to areas such as Walikale and Virunga National Park, reports indicate that others are taking refuge in UN military facilities in North Kivu Province.

Brig. Gen. Gakwerere has a long and notorious history. Born in 1964 in Rukara Commune, Kibungo Prefecture—now part of Rwanda’s Kayonza District—he played a key role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

As a Lieutenant at the time, Gakwerere was stationed at the Non-Commissioned Officers School (ESO) in Butare, where he worked closely with Captain Ildephonse Nizeyimana, a key architect of the Butare massacres.

Reports indicate that he led a notorious group known as the "New Formula", responsible for mass killings at roadblocks and various locations in Butare. He is also accused of involvement in the murder of Queen Rosalie Gicanda on April 20, 1994, as well as the killing of Jean Baptiste Habyarimana, the former Governor of Butare Prefecture.

The European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Great Lakes Region, Johan Borgstam, has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to dismantle the FDLR militia, emphasizing that its continued existence poses a significant threat to regional stability.