SOUTH AFRICA TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM UN MISSION IN DR CONGO
Pretoria cites defence resource realignment after 27 years of supporting MONUSCO
South Africa has announced plans to withdraw its troops from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), ending nearly three decades of continuous military support to the mission.
In a statement released on Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said he had formally informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres of Pretoria’s decision. South Africa currently has more than 700 soldiers deployed as part of MONUSCO, which it has supported for 27 years.
According to the Presidency, South Africa will work closely with the United Nations to agree on the timelines and modalities for the withdrawal, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2026.
The decision, the statement said, was influenced by the need to consolidate and realign resources within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), amid competing domestic and regional priorities.
Despite the withdrawal, Pretoria stressed that it remains committed to peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. South Africa said it would maintain close diplomatic ties with Kinshasa and continue to support regional, continental and UN-led initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace in the conflict-affected country.
MONUSCO’s mandate focuses on protecting civilians and countering numerous armed rebel groups that have operated for decades in eastern Congo, a region that has recently experienced renewed and intensified fighting.
When the mission’s mandate was last extended in December, MONUSCO had nearly 11,000 troops and police personnel deployed across the DRC.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
