South Africa Exits Nearly Three-Decade Congo Mission

(MENAFN) South Africa is terminating its nearly three-decade peacekeeping presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking the end of one of the nation's longest continuous UN deployments, the presidency announced Sunday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa formally notified UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of Pretoria's withdrawal plan, framing the pullout as a strategic reallocation of defense capabilities.

With over 700 personnel currently stationed in DR Congo, South Africa ranks among the top ten contributors to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO). The decision stems from "the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the South African National Defence Force, following twenty seven years of South Africa's support to UN peacekeeping efforts in the DRC," according to the presidential statement.

Pretoria will coordinate with UN officials to establish a phased exit schedule, targeting completion by December 2026, the presidency confirmed.

"The South African government will continue to maintain close bilateral relations with the government of the DRC, as well as provide ongoing support to other multilateral efforts by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN) aimed at bringing lasting peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo," the presidency said.

MONUSCO, launched by the UN Security Council in 1999, operates under a mandate encompassing civilian protection, safeguarding humanitarian workers and human rights advocates, while supporting Congolese authorities in stabilization and peace-building initiatives.

Eastern DR Congo's resource-rich territories remain mired in relentless conflict as multiple armed factions—including M23—clash with government forces over territorial control and mineral wealth. Violence intensified dramatically in early 2025, with militants seizing Goma and Bukavu, triggering mass casualties and widespread population displacement. Kinshasa has persistently accused neighboring Rwanda of sponsoring rebel forces and illegally extracting resources from eastern regions—allegations Kigali categorically rejects.

Last year, South Africa withdrew separate forces deployed to eastern DR Congo following the expiration of the SADC peacekeeping mission's authorization.

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