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.

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The South African National Defence Force (SANDF), through the Joint Operations Division deployed the South African Air Force (SAAF) to provide the rotary wing air support as part of Operation Chariot in Mozambique.

Mozambique is currently experiencing one of its worst flooding disasters triggered by heavy rains that began in mid-December 2025 and intensified around early January 2026.

Mozambique’s Southern and Central Provinces, such as Maputo, Gaza, Zambezia to name a few, have been amongst the hardest hit areas, destroying crops, causing severe damage to infrastructure and leaving thousands of families displaced.

SAAF Corporate Communication Officer, Major Lebogang Phakathi said the main mission of the SAAF is to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and provide humanitarian assistance in response to flood related disaster in the affected Southern and Central parts of Mozambique.

“On Tuesday, one Oryx, a medium-lift helicopter and two A109 Augusta light utility helicopters were deployed on an aerial reconnaissance mission to assess the extent of the damage and locate stranded civilians in the Palmeira area, in the Maputo Province.

“Despite adverse weather conditions, SA Air Force Aircrews executed successful rescue operations and managed to evacuate a total of 224 individuals from the flooded area to safety. This operation forms part of an ongoing disaster relief effort to support Mozambique during this humanitarian crisis,” said Phakathi.

He said the SAAF continued commitment and tireless efforts underscore South Africa’s enduring commitment to regional stability and cooperation under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) framework.

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Speaking at a recent ministerial gathering in Harare, Zimbabwe, Majodina placed the Africa Water Investment Summit at the forefront of the regional agenda. The summit, set for August 13 to 15, 2025, in Cape Town, will be a key moment under South Africa’s G20 Presidency to secure much-needed funding for water infrastructure.

Africa currently faces a staggering annual water investment gap of R528 billion—an obstacle that threatens both economic development and long-term water security across the continent. Majodina stressed the urgency of turning discussions into action.

“We need a concrete plan. We can’t keep meeting and talking without producing real change,” she said. “Without serious investment in water and energy infrastructure, no region or country can truly grow.”

Majodina urged governments to prioritize water and electricity in national budgets, describing them as essential building blocks for economic progress.

The upcoming summit will focus on rallying financial commitments, improving access to funding for water and sanitation projects, strengthening governance, showcasing ready-to-fund projects, and encouraging legal and regulatory reforms that can unlock more investment.

In addition to the summit discussions, Majodina also met with her counterparts to talk about shared water resources and cross-border initiatives like the Lesotho/Botswana water transfer and the Beitbridge/Musina water supply project. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to regional cooperation and improving access to clean water throughout Southern Africa.

Her call to action signals a growing urgency to close the investment gap and build sustainable infrastructure that can support Africa’s future.

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