South Africa withdraws its troops from the UN mission in Congo
In a strategic move reflecting the evolving security landscape in Africa, the South African presidency announced its decision to withdraw its troops from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). This decision involves the withdrawal of 700 soldiers, and President Cyril Ramaphosa formally informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres of this action, which comes after decades of active participation in peacekeeping operations.
Details of the decision and reorganization of resources
According to a presidential statement issued Saturday evening, the withdrawal process will be completed before the end of this year. The presidency explained that this decision was not made arbitrarily, but was directly influenced by the urgent need to "consolidate and reorganize the resources of the South African National Defence Force." This move comes after nearly 27 years of South Africa's commitment to supporting UN peacekeeping efforts in the region, indicating Pretoria's desire to reassess its overseas military commitments in light of emerging domestic and regional challenges.
Historical background of the MONUSCO mission
The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is one of the world's largest and most expensive peacekeeping missions. Originally established as MONUC in 1999, it was renamed and restructured in 2010. For over two decades, these forces have played a pivotal role in attempting to stabilize eastern Congo, a region rich in natural resources but plagued by persistent instability due to the activities of dozens of armed groups. South Africa's withdrawal is part of a broader UN plan to gradually reduce its presence and hand over security responsibilities to Congolese national forces.
Security challenges and the growing influence of the "M23" movement
This withdrawal coincides with a highly critical time in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the conflict escalated significantly at the beginning of 2025. The M23 rebel movement, which UN reports indicate receives external support, has seized control of vast swathes of territory and key strategic cities. This situation raises questions about the security vacuum that the withdrawal of UN forces may leave behind, and the Congolese army's readiness to fill it.
The difference between international withdrawal and regional commitment
It is worth noting that South Africa's withdrawal from the UN mission does not signify a complete military withdrawal from the Congo. Last year, Pretoria deployed hundreds of troops as part of a separate military mission under the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This regional force was specifically deployed to counter the growing threat of the M23 movement, and South African troops within this mission have suffered casualties, including 17 soldiers killed in recent clashes. This distinction illustrates that South Africa's strategy is shifting from traditional UN peacekeeping to peacekeeping operations and direct confrontation under an African regional umbrella.
Expected impacts locally and internationally
This decision carries broad political and security implications. Domestically, it presents the Congolese government with a real test of its ability to protect its sovereignty. Regionally, it strengthens the role of African organizations like SADC in resolving conflicts within the continent, rather than relying solely on the United Nations. Internationally, this move signals a new phase of "peacekeeping fatigue," as troop-contributing countries seek to reduce their expenditures and risks in long-term missions that have failed to achieve lasting peace.
