South Africa has announced plans to withdraw its peacekeepers from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), ending nearly three decades of military support to the UN mission.
President Cyril Ramaphosa disclosed the decision in a statement, saying he formally informed the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, on January 12.
According to Ramaphosa, the move is aimed at consolidating and realigning the resources of the South African National Defence Force after 27 years of continuous peacekeeping contributions in the DRC.
He noted that South Africa ranked among the top 10 troop-contributing countries to MONUSCO, with more than 700 personnel deployed to the mission.
In a response, MONUSCO expressed deep appreciation to the South African government and its people for their longstanding commitment to United Nations peacekeeping efforts.
The mission commended the dedication and professionalism of South African peacekeepers in supporting MONUSCO’s mandate, and said it would continue engaging with South Africa on broader peacekeeping issues, including lessons learned and future cooperation to advance peace and stability.
MONUSCO also assured that it would work closely with the UN Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to ensure the withdrawal process is conducted in a safe, orderly and responsible manner, in line with UN operational standards.
The UN Secretary-General also conveyed his gratitude to South Africa for its years of service and sacrifice, according to his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, who briefed journalists in New York on Monday.
MONUSCO has operated in the DRC since July 2010, succeeding an earlier UN peacekeeping mission established to oversee a ceasefire following conflicts linked to the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda.
The mission’s mandate includes protecting civilians and supporting efforts to stabilise the country and consolidate peace.
As of October 2025, MONUSCO had over 12,400 personnel, including more than 9,100 troops and 926 police officers from over 50 countries. Since its inception, 304 peacekeepers have lost their lives.
MONUSCO paid tribute to South African peacekeepers who died in the line of duty, honouring their sacrifice under the UN flag.
Meanwhile, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is currently in the DRC, where he met with President Félix Tshisekedi, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, senior government officials and other stakeholders.
Discussions focused on the implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate, including efforts to support a permanent ceasefire.
Lacroix is expected to visit Beni in North Kivu Province to assess recent security developments and meet with local authorities and peacekeepers, before travelling to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the African Union summit later this week.