South Africa to end 27-year DR Congo UN peacekeeping mission by 2026

South Africa will conclude its long-running military contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with a full withdrawal planned by the end of 2026. The presidency announced the decision on Sunday, marking an end to a 27-year deployment under the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

Rationale and Planned Coordination

President Cyril Ramaphosa informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the move during a call on January 12, citing the "need to consolidate and realign the resources" of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). South Africa, one of MONUSCO's top ten troop-contributing countries, currently has more than 700 soldiers deployed. The government stated it will coordinate closely with the UN to finalize a detailed withdrawal plan, including specific timelines.

MONUSCO's Response and Regional Context

MONUSCO issued a statement thanking South Africa for its "steadfast commitment" over decades and honoring the sacrifice of its fallen peacekeepers. The withdrawal occurs amid ongoing instability in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group controls significant territory, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The Congolese government and UN accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the rebels, a claim Kigali denies.

Continued Diplomatic Engagement

Despite the military pullout, Pretoria pledged to maintain close ties with Congo and continue supporting peace efforts through multilateral bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the UN. The announcement follows a recent ceasefire monitoring agreement signed in Qatar between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, part of a broader peace process.