🇿🇦 South Africa to Withdraw MONUSCO Troops by 2026 After 27 Years in Congo

South Africa has announced that it will withdraw its troop contribution from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) before the end of 2026, ending nearly 27 years of continuous peacekeeping involvement in the conflict-plagued country. President Cyril Ramaphosa officially communicated the decision to UN Secretary-General António Guterres after a review of national peacekeeping commitments and a desire to realign South Africa’s armed forces resources.

South Africa currently deploys over 700 soldiers as part of MONUSCO, making it one of the top troop contributors to the mission, which has operated in the DRC since 1999 with a mandate to protect civilians and support stabilization efforts in the nation’s volatile eastern regions. The withdrawal will be conducted in close coordination with the United Nations to ensure an orderly and responsible drawdown of personnel and equipment.

The decision follows recent South African participation in regional efforts and reflects a shift in defence priorities after years of engagement. While troops are being pulled back, Pretoria has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations with the DRC government and supporting peacebuilding through diplomatic and multilateral frameworks, including the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.

South Africa’s withdrawal marks a significant transition in MONUSCO’s footprint and highlights ongoing changes in international peacekeeping dynamics as conflicts in the region evolve and governments reassess their strategic military engagements.