Kinshasa: South Africa has decided to withdraw its peacekeepers from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) after providing nearly three decades of assistance.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Cyril Ramaphosa informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on January 12 about the decision. The move is aimed at consolidating and realigning the resources of the South African National Defence Force after 27 years in support of UN peacekeeping efforts in the DRC. South Africa was among the top 10 countries contributing troops to MONUSCO, with over 700 soldiers.
MONUSCO expressed gratitude to South Africa for its commitment to peacekeeping and the dedication shown by its peacekeepers. The Mission intends to continue engaging with South Africa on broader peacekeeping issues, including lessons learned and continued support for advancing peace and stability. It also plans to work with the UN Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to ensure a safe and responsible transition.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thanked South Africa for its commitment and sacrifice, as reported by his Spokesman, St©phane Dujarric, in New York. MONUSCO has been operating in the DRC since July 2010, succeeding an earlier UN mission that supervised a ceasefire agreement stemming from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The Mission’s mandate includes civilian protection and aiding DRC’s stabilization.
As of October 2025, MONUSCO comprised more than 12,400 personnel, including some 9,177 troops and 926 police officers from over 50 countries. There have been 304 recorded fatalities since inception. MONUSCO paid tribute to South African peacekeepers who died in service, honoring their sacrifice.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN Peace Operations, is currently visiting the DRC, meeting with President F©lix Tshisekedi, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, and other key government members and stakeholders. Discussions focus on implementing MONUSCO’s mandate and supporting a permanent ceasefire. Lacroix will also visit Beni in North Kivu province to assess developments and meet with local authorities and peacekeepers.