South Africa will begin withdrawing its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the end of nearly three decades of involvement in the operation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally informed the United Nations of the decision, which will see the gradual withdrawal of more than 700 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers currently deployed under the MONUSCO mission.
The Presidency said the move forms part of a broader effort to realign and consolidate the SANDF’s resources, following 27 years of supporting peacekeeping initiatives in the conflict-affected region.
In a statement, government confirmed that the withdrawal process would be coordinated with the UN to ensure a smooth transition.
“South Africa will work jointly with the UN to finalise the timelines and other modalities of the withdrawal, which will be completed before the end of 2026,” the statement read.
Despite the troop pull-out, South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability in the DRC, saying it will continue to support diplomatic and regional efforts through international and continental partnerships.
Government also pledged to maintain strong bilateral relations with the Congolese government as part of ongoing cooperation.
The decision signals a strategic shift rather than a full exit from peacebuilding efforts trading boots on the ground for a more streamlined role behind the scenes.