South Africa has decided to withdraw its troops deployed under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a statement issued on Saturday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the South African contingent stationed in Congo will be brought back. He informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres of the decision, citing the need to reorganize the country’s armed forces as the main reason for the withdrawal.

According to TRT World, South Africa has participated in the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo for the past 27 years and currently has more than 700 soldiers deployed there. When the mission’s mandate was extended in December last year, around 11,000 troops and police officers were serving under the UN mission. The mission’s primary role is to combat various rebel groups in Congo, where decades of conflict have intensified in recent times.

The statement added that South Africa will coordinate with the UN to finalize the withdrawal timeline and process, aiming to complete it before the end of 2026. Ramaphosa’s office said the country will continue close bilateral relations with Congo and support international efforts for lasting peace.