South Africa to withdraw its troops from UN peacekeeping mission in Congo

A general view shows traders selling their merchandise at the Birere market despite the paralysis of commercial activities following fighting between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 8 (Reuters) - ‌South Africa will withdraw its troops from ‌the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the ‌Democratic Republic of Congo, President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said in a statement late on Saturday.

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.