South Africa to Withdraw Troops from UN Mission in Congo by 2026

South Africa has announced plans to withdraw approximately 700 soldiers from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the end of 2026. According to Jin10, the decision was communicated by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The withdrawal is driven by the need to reorganize and consolidate resources within the South African National Defense Force. Despite the troop withdrawal, South Africa remains committed to supporting peace, stability, and development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country will continue to maintain close relations with the Congolese government and support local peace efforts through mechanisms such as the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, and the United Nations.