South Africa Begins Exit from Congo as It Withdraws Troops

South Africa will withdraw its 700 troops deployed under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the presidency confirmed.

Pretoria had previously repatriated hundreds of soldiers from another military mission under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) following the deaths of 17 troops amid escalating conflict with the M23 rebel group.

President Cyril Ramaphosa personally informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the government’s decision to “withdraw its contribution of soldiers,” the presidency said in a statement late Saturday.

The statement clarified that South African forces were being pulled from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

Withdrawal from MONUSCO Peacekeeping Mission

“They are withdrawing their soldiers from MONUSCO,” it said.

The decision was informed by the need to “consolidate and realign the resources of the South African National Defence Force” after 27 years of support to UN peacekeeping operations in the DRC.

In addition, officials said South Africa had been a top-10 contributor of MONUSCO troops, thus its withdrawal was significant to the mission.

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Impact of Escalating Conflict

The conflict situation in the eastern Democratic Congo has escalated in the early part of 2025 when the M23 group took over several areas of the region, posing security challenges.

The move comes at a time of heightened tension in the region and at a time when Pretoria is being pressed to focus more resources at home on building up its armed forces.

“After 27 years, it is time to consolidate our resources,” said the senior defence official.

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Timeline for Withdrawal

The South African government announced clearly that the withdrawal of its military from the region will be complete prior to the close of the year, thus signaling the end of decades of unwavering commitment to peacekeeping roles in the DRC.

The decision is expected to have ripple effects across MONUSCO, as other troop-contributing countries will likely re-examine their contributions in light of ongoing insecurity in eastern Congo.

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South African Soldiers During A Past Exercise. PHOTO/ File