South Africa has announced plans to withdraw its troops from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), citing the need to consolidate and realign the resources of its national defence force.
The decision was confirmed by South African authorities, who said the move forms part of a broader reassessment of the country’s external military deployments and defence priorities. Officials indicated that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is under increasing pressure to balance international peacekeeping commitments with domestic operational needs.
South Africa has been a long-standing contributor to MONUSCO, one of the UN’s largest and most complex peacekeeping missions, which was established to help stabilise the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo amid persistent armed conflict and humanitarian crises. South African troops have played a significant role within the Force Intervention Brigade, mandated to take more robust action against armed groups threatening civilians.
The withdrawal comes at a time when MONUSCO itself is undergoing a gradual drawdown, following years of criticism within the DRC over the mission’s effectiveness and calls by Congolese authorities for greater national control over security matters. The UN has been working with the Congolese government on a phased exit strategy, while seeking to prevent security vacuums in conflict-affected areas.
South African officials stressed that the decision does not signal a retreat from commitments to peace and stability on the continent. Rather, they said Pretoria remains committed to regional security efforts through the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and other multilateral frameworks.
Analysts note that budgetary constraints, rising operational costs, and increasing domestic security demands have intensified scrutiny of South Africa’s overseas deployments. The SANDF has faced ongoing challenges related to funding, equipment maintenance and personnel readiness.
The timeline for the withdrawal and the number of troops affected have not yet been disclosed. The United Nations has also not issued a detailed response on how South Africa’s exit will be managed within the broader MONUSCO transition process.
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