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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the withdrawal of over 700 troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of 2026. This decision reflects the evolving priorities of regional defense spending, driven by growing sovereignty concerns and shifting power dynamics.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has long struggled with instability and conflict, with various armed groups responsible for numerous atrocities and human rights abuses. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), established in 1999 as part of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), has played a crucial role in stabilizing the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has long struggled with instability and conflict, a legacy of colonialism, ethnic tensions, and foreign interventions that continue to simmer in its eastern regions. The region around Goma in North Kivu Province has been particularly volatile, with multiple militias and armed groups vying for control amidst weak state authority and porous borders.