South Africa Announces Withdrawal of Troops from Eastern DRC

KINSHASA, February 10, 2026 - South Africa has announced it will withdraw its troops from the UN peacekeeping mission in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing the need to consolidate its military forces, financial constraints, limited operational results, and a renewed focus on domestic priorities. The troops are part of MONUSCO, where South Africa has maintained between 700 and 800 soldiers, primarily within the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) - a unit authorized to conduct offensive operations against armed groups. The withdrawal, announced on February 8, is scheduled to take place gradually from the first quarter of 2026 through December 2026. While Pretoria has officially framed the move as strategic and financial, critics argue the decision is also influenced by broader political and economic interests, particularly in mineral-rich regions of eastern Congo. South African deployments have largely been concentrated in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri - provinces known for deposits of gold, coltan, gas, and copper. Since the 1990s, South Africa has publicly justified its military engagements across the continent as part of efforts to restore peace and stability. However, observers note that troop deployments have frequently coincided with areas of significant natural resource wealth. Allegations have also surfaced over the years accusing certain elements within the mission of involvement in illegal mining activities, including the illicit trade of gold and coltan. Some reports claim that military-controlled airports were used in mineral transactions and that intermediaries facilitated cross-border trading networks. These allegations have not led to formal international prosecutions but continue to fuel debate over the economic dimensions of foreign troop deployments. South Africa remains one of the largest contributors to MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade, whose mandate differs from traditional UN peacekeeping contingents by allowing proactive combat operations against armed groups. The gradual withdrawal marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics, raising questions about the future balance of forces in eastern Congo and the long-term sustainability of international stabilization efforts.

Faits rapportés

KINSHASA, February 10, 2026 - South Africa has announced it will withdraw its troops from the UN peacekeeping mission in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing the need to consolidate its military forces, financial constraints, limited operational results, and a renewed focus on domestic priorities. The troops are part of MONUSCO, where South Africa has maintained between 700 and 800 soldiers, primarily within the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) - a unit authorized to conduct offensive operations against armed groups. The withdrawal, announced on February 8, is scheduled to take place gradually from the first quarter of 2026 through December 2026. While Pretoria has officially framed the move as strategic and financial, critics argue the decision is also influenced by broader political and economic interests, particularly in mineral-rich regions of eastern Congo. South African deployments have largely been concentrated in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri - provinces known for deposits of gold, coltan, gas, and copper. Since the 1990s, South Africa has publicly justified its military engagements across the continent as part of efforts to restore peace and stability. However, observers note that troop deployments have frequently coincided with areas of significant natural resource wealth. Allegations have also surfaced over the years accusing certain elements within the mission of involvement in illegal mining activities, including the illicit trade of gold and coltan. Some reports claim that military-controlled airports were used in mineral transactions and that intermediaries facilitated cross-border trading networks. These allegations have not led to formal international prosecutions but continue to fuel debate over the economic dimensions of foreign troop deployments. South Africa remains one of the largest contributors to MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade, whose mandate differs from traditional UN peacekeeping contingents by allowing proactive combat operations against armed groups. The gradual withdrawal marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics, raising questions about the future balance of forces in eastern Congo and the long-term sustainability of international stabilization efforts.