By Thapelo Molefe
South Africa is to withdraw its soldiers from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), ending nearly three decades of involvement in UN peacekeeping operations in the country.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally informed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the government’s decision to withdraw South Africa’s contingent from MONUSCO, where the country currently has more than 700 soldiers deployed.
According to the Presidency, the decision was conveyed during a telephone conversation between Ramaphosa and Guterres on 12 January 2026.
“The President indicated that South Africa’s unilateral withdrawal decision from MONUSCO is influenced by the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the South African National Defence Force, following 27 years of South Africa’s support to UN peacekeeping efforts in the DRC,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
The withdrawal will not be immediate.
South
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