It’s a big shift for South Africa—after almost three decades of helping keep the peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo through the UN, the country is bringing its troops home. More than 700 soldiers have been part of this effort, but now it’s time to wrap things up.
Last year, we saw hundreds of those troops return after serving in the eastern part of the DRC as part of a regional mission. Now, the focus is on the UN side.
The decision came straight from the top: President Cyril Ramaphosa chatted with the UN Secretary-General on January 12, 2026, to let him know. South Africa has been one of the biggest contributors to this UN stabilization mission, called MONUSCO.
Why the pullout? It’s about rethinking where the military’s resources go after 27 years of support. The mission started back in 1999 to help with a ceasefire agreement and has grown to include protecting civilians, aid workers, and human rights folks from violence, plus backing the Congolese government’s push for stability and peace.
South Africa and the UN will team up to figure out the exact timeline and details, but the goal is to finish by the end of 2026. The UN chief appreciated the heads-up and the long-term commitment.
Even with this withdrawal, South Africa isn’t stepping away from the DRC entirely. They’ll keep strong ties and support peace efforts through groups like the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the UN to help bring real, lasting peace to the region.