The handover ceremony took place at the Rwanda-DRC border on March 1, 2025, with the group proceeding to Rubavu via the main border crossing (La Corniche).

Brig. Gen. Gakwerere, who was wearing a new uniform of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Armed Forces (FARDC), is also known by other names, including Sibomana Stany, Julius Mokoko, and Sibo Stany.

Colonel Joseph Mwesigye, the Commander of the Rwanda Defence Force’s 509th Brigade, who received the fighters, stated that those found to have committed crimes would be prosecuted, while the others would be taken to the Mutobo demobilization and reintegration center.

“We will hand them over to the relevant authorities, who will investigate each one. If anyone is found to have committed genocide-related crimes, they will face justice. If there are other criminal charges, the appropriate institutions will handle them, and the rest will be transferred to Mutobo,” he said.

The Government of Rwanda has long accused the DRC of collaborating with the FDLR by providing weapons and other support, despite the group’s objective to destabilize Rwanda.

Addressing the media, Col. Mwesigye remarked, “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 further emphasized that the capture of these fighters is clear evidence that the FDLR is still active, despite the DRC’s claims that the group only consists of elderly members or no longer exists.

The FDLR fighters handed over to Rwanda were among those captured during clashes with M23 in Goma and surrounding areas. Others have fled to regions such as Walikale and the Virunga National Park, while some are reportedly hiding within United Nations military facilities in North Kivu Province.

Brig. Gen. Gakwerere was born in 1964 in Rukara Commune, Kibungo Prefecture—now part of Kayonza District in Rwanda’s Eastern Province.

During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Gakwerere held the rank of Lieutenant and served at the Non-Commissioned Officers School (ESO) in Butare, where he was a trusted associate of Captain Ildephonse Nizeyimana, the Deputy Commander.

Reports indicate that Gakwerere was tasked with leading a group of soldiers known as the "New Formula," who were responsible for killing many Tutsi at roadblocks and other locations in Butare.

Gakwerere is also accused of being among the soldiers sent by Capt. Nizeyimana to the residence of Queen Rosalie Gicanda on April 20, 1994, where she was killed. He is further implicated in the death of Jean Baptiste Habyarimana, the former Governor of Butare Prefecture.

The armed group M23 has handed over Brigadier General Gakwerere Ezechiel.

The Top FDLR Commander was handed over along with 13 other fighters to Rwanda.

The media was present with M23 forces manning tight security.