He was speaking to journalists during a briefing marking the launch of the judiciary’s anti-corruption week on February 9, 2026.
“He was a senior leader in the FDLR and holds extensive knowledge of his own activities and those of the group, including its current operations,” Col Sumanyi said. “Security organs are still interrogating him, but in the near term, neither very soon nor far off, he will be handed over to military justice. As you know, our trials are public, and interested parties will be able to follow the proceedings.”
Brig Gen Gakwerere, who ranked third in the FDLR’s leadership hierarchy, was arrested in Goma in January 2025. Fighters from the AFC/M23 coalition, which is engaged in conflict against the Democratic Republic of Congo government, handed him over to Rwandan authorities on March 1, 2025.
Upon his transfer to Rwanda, Gakwerere told the media he was born in the former Kigali Ngali province and hails from Kanyinya in Shyorongi sector.
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 reportedly a trusted subordinate of Captain Ildephonse Nizeyimana, the school’s deputy commander.
He is alleged to have commanded newly recruited soldiers known as the “New Formula,” who were responsible for killing numerous Tutsi at roadblocks and other sites in the former Butare region.
Gakwerere is also suspected of leading 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 prefect of Butare.
Leave a Reply