South Africa will withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the continent’s largest economy seeks to realign the resources of its armed forces.
South Africa currently has more than 700 troops deployed in Congo and has contributed to UN peacekeeping operations in the country for 27 years, the statement said.
The decision follows domestic criticism of the government over the treatment of soldiers, including allegations that troops deployed along South Africa’s borders have faced severe food shortages and limited access to medical care, according to Bloomberg.
Ramaphosa has told U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the decision, which was influenced by the need to “realign” the resources of South Africa’s armed forces, the statement said.
“South Africa will work jointly with the U.N. to finalise the timelines and other modalities of the withdrawal, which will be completed before the end of 2026,” the statement added.
UN drawdown accelerates
The drawdown comes as the withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces from Congo has accelerated, even as the United Nations grapples with a decades-long conflict driven by ethnic tensions and competition over the country’s vast mineral wealth.
Despite diplomatic efforts by the United States and Qatar to secure the withdrawal of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, the group is entrenching control over parts of eastern Congo and seeking to establish an autonomously governed region, UN experts said in January.
South Africa will continue to maintain close bilateral ties with Congo’s government and support other multilateral initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace in the country, Ramaphosa’s office said.