A peace agreement brokered by the White House to stem the bloodshed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was signed in Washington D.C. on Friday by officials of the two African nations.

The U.N. accuses Rwanda of supporting rebels who have taken over large swathes of the Democratic Republic of Congo - home to valuable minerals.

A deal signed in Washington has been touted as a major step toward peace in Congo following decades of conflict that has killed millions, including thousands this year.