South Africa has announced plans to withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office late on Saturday.
President Ramaphosa has formally informed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres of the decision, which was influenced by the need to realign the resources of South Africa’s armed forces.
The statement noted that South Africa would work closely with the United Nations to finalise the timelines and operational details for the withdrawal, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2026.
South Africa has been a key contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts in the DRC for 27 years and currently has more than 700 soldiers deployed in the country.
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The UN mission, whose mandate was extended in December, has nearly 11,000 troops and police personnel deployed to counter numerous armed groups operating in eastern Congo, a region that has experienced decades of conflict and a recent escalation in violence.
Despite the planned withdrawal, President Ramaphosa’s office said South Africa would continue to maintain strong bilateral relations with the Congolese government.
The country also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting other multilateral initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
