Africa-Press. South Africa announced that its troops will withdraw from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) by the end of 2026, ending nearly 27 years of participation in the operation.
In a statement, Pretoria said President Cyril Ramaphosa informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres during a phone call that the decision reflects the “need to reorganize the resources of the National Defence Force” and redirect them toward domestic priorities.
South Africa is among the top ten contributors to MONUSCO, with more than 700 troops deployed. The statement added that Pretoria will work with the United Nations to develop a detailed withdrawal plan, including timelines and key logistical arrangements.
Despite the withdrawal, South Africa stressed that it will continue to support peace efforts through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and the United Nations, while maintaining close relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
MONUSCO, for its part, expressed gratitude to the South African government and people for their long-standing commitment to peacekeeping, praised the sacrifices of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and reaffirmed its willingness to continue cooperation with Pretoria, particularly in areas such as knowledge-sharing and stability support.
Tense security context
The decision comes amid escalating conflict in eastern Congo, where the M23 rebel movement has controlled large areas since 2025, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The Congolese government and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of backing the group, an allegation Kigali denies.
Last week, the Congolese government and the M23 signed a ceasefire monitoring agreement in Qatar, with the support of the United States, the African Union, and international partners, as part of a Qatari-mediated peace process aimed at ending the conflict in the country’s east.
