Three African countries that twice were involved in the most devastating wars in the continent have apparently agreed to work together to protect the endangered mountain gorillas.
Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo will share at about $5.8 million in aid to deal with the threat from poaching and human encroachment at the last sanctuary for the world's only surviving population of mountain gorillas.
There are just over 700 mountain gorillas living in Africa's first national park that straddles the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo.
The apes make up a key source of foreign currency from tourists.
Villagers living on the land surrounding the national park, however, repeatedly cross into the gorilla habitat in search of firewood, honey, bush meat and fertile fields to cultivate their crops.
The gorillas -- who roam across the three countries -- have suffered from years of instability first created by the 100-day genocide unleashed in Rwanda, and later by two devastating civil wars in Congo.
The 1994 Rwanda genocide killed at least half a million members of the Tutsi minority and politically moderates from the Hutu majority. More than a million people later fled the country into neighboring eastern Congo, including members of the former army and the extremist Hutu militias who orchestrated the slaughter.
Rwanda and Uganda have twice invaded Congo, in 1994 and 1998. Rwandan officials said they were chasing down Rwandan militias threatening their nation's security. The second invasion sparked a six-nation war in Congo that drew in the armies of six nations.
The three neighbors are now willing to cast aside the history of strained relations and animosity to work together to protect those gentle giants of the highlands.