South Africa will withdraw its contingent from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the end of 2024, the presidency announced on Saturday. The decision, communicated to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, concludes a 27-year commitment by South Africa to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
Pretoria currently deploys over 700 military personnel within MONUSCO, which is the UN’s largest and most expensive peacekeeping operation. The Presidency stated that the withdrawal is necessary to “consolidate and realign the resources of the national defence force.” It added that South Africa will work jointly with the UN to finalise the specific timelines and modalities for the departure.
Despite the military drawdown, South Africa emphasised it will maintain close bilateral relations with Kinshasa and continue to support “regional, continental, and UN efforts to bring lasting peace” to the DRC. This signals a shift from direct peacekeeping involvement to a potentially more diplomatic or political support role.
MONUSCO was established in 1999 to address the aftermath of regional wars and protect civilians from myriad armed groups. Its mandate, most recently renewed in December, includes countering more than 120 active rebel factions, particularly in the volatile eastern provinces. At that time, the mission comprised nearly 11,000 troops and police. The region has experienced a recent escalation in fighting, displacing thousands and complicating efforts to stabilise the area.
South Africa’s withdrawal represents a significant reduction in the mission’s capacity, as it has been one of the largest African contributors. The move comes amid broader debates about the future of UN peacekeeping in the DRC and increasing calls from the Congolese government for a faster drawdown of foreign forces. The DRC’s leadership has previously criticised the mission’s perceived inability to decisively defeat armed groups.
The phased exit of a key troop contributor will necessitate a recalibration of MONUSCO’s operational capabilities as it seeks to implement its protection of civilians mandate. The withdrawal will be closely observed for its immediate impact on security dynamics in eastern DRC and for what it indicates about South Africa’s foreign policy priorities. While diplomatic engagement will continue, the removal of a substantial standing force from the region underscores the persistent challenges of achieving sustainable peace in the DRC and the evolving nature of international peace support efforts there.
