In the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, the Presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a landmark agreement aimed at restoring peace between the two neighboring countries.

Rwanda maintains that the FDLR—an armed group accused of being composed of remnants of the 1994 Genocide—operates from Congolese territory with support from the Congolese state, posing a threat to Rwanda’s security. Congo, for its part, accuses Rwanda of backing the AFC/M23 rebels who are fighting its government.

President Trump described the moment as “historic” for Rwanda and Congo, noting that the region has endured 30 years of conflicts that he said have claimed up to 10 million lives.

Trump called for the disarmament of non-state armed groups and their reintegration into civilian life. He also emphasized the need for Congo’s mineral wealth to be traded transparently on global markets to benefit countries in the region.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Presidents of Angola, Burundi, Kenya, the Vice President of Uganda, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and foreign ministers including Qatar’s—Who having played a mediating role.

In his remarks, President Kagame acknowledged the many failed attempts over the past 30 years to end the conflict, expressing appreciation to President Trump for succeeding where others had not, praising him for taking a neutral position.

“If these agreements fail,” President Kagame said, “the responsibility should not go to President Trump—it will be on ourselves, Africans.”

DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi welcomed the agreement, saying it marks the end of support to armed groups destabilizing countries in the Great Lakes Region, opening a new chapter of cooperation and improved relations.

Leaders of Angola, Kenya, and Burundi also expressed optimism that the decades-long conflict is finally nearing an end, paving the way for peace and development across the region.

Angola’s President highlighted that lasting peace in Congo would facilitate major development projects, including the Inga hydropower dam, which has the potential to supply electricity to the entire African continent.

During the signing, President Trump sat on one side, President Kagame took the center seat, and President Tshisekedi sat on the opposite side. The leaders later posed for a photo with Trump in the middle.

Asked by a journalist about the timeline for implementing the agreement, President Trump said he expects immediate progress, either within months or a few years.