North America’s second-strongest military cuts Africa footprint, exits South Sudan and DRC

Canada, North America’s second-strongest military according to Global Firepower’s 2026 ranking, is scaling back its military footprint in Africa, with plans to end operations in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and sharply reduce its deployment in Egypt by 2027.

According to a statement issued by the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) said it will conclude Operation SOPRANO in South Sudan and Operation CROCODILE in the DRC by mid-2027, while reducing Operation CALUMET in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula over the same period.

Canada is also ending several non-African deployments under the same restructuring. Operation KOBOLD in Kosovo will conclude by the end of 2026, while Operations SNOWGOOSE in Cyprus will end by mid-2027.

The changes form part of Canada’s effort to redirect military personnel and capabilities towards what Ottawa considers higher-priority defence requirements, including defending Canada, strengthening the Euro-Atlantic region and supporting stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Around 50 to 60 CAF members currently serving across the affected missions will gradually be reassigned to higher-priority roles at home and abroad.

In South Sudan, approximately nine Canadian personnel currently serve with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan under Operation SOPRANO, providing military planning and liaison support in a complex security environment.

Canada’s Operation CROCODILE in the DRC also involves approximately nine personnel serving with the UN stabilization mission. They provide expertise in military operations, planning, liaison and training to support stabilization efforts.

In Egypt, Canada’s presence is significantly larger. Operation CALUMET supports the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai Peninsula, which monitors compliance with the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

Canada has participated in the mission since 1985. Its Task Force El Gorah, currently comprising about 40 personnel, will be reduced to approximately 10 by the end of 2026. The remaining personnel will continue providing air-traffic coordination and critical flight information to support the peacekeeping mission.

Canadian Defence Minister David J. McGuinty said the service of CAF members on the missions had strengthened partnerships and advanced peace and security globally.

“As the global security environment evolves, the Canadian Armed Forces must remain ready and focused where it can have the greatest impact,” McGuinty said, adding that the rebalancing would help sustain Canada’s commitments while strengthening military readiness.

Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan said the changing global strategic environment required Canada to adapt its military posture.

“By rebalancing where we employ our people and capabilities, we are strengthening Canada’s ability to defend our country and contribute meaningfully alongside our allies and partners,” Carignan said.

The CAF said the decision reflects the need to concentrate experienced personnel and capabilities where they can have the greatest impact while maintaining Canada’s ability to respond to emerging security challenges.

The CAF will nevertheless maintain other international commitments through Operations PRESENCE, CALUMET and JADE, while continuing to support peace-support training for troop-contributing countries through its Military Training and Cooperation Program.

The changes will be implemented progressively over two years in coordination with Canada’s international partners, including the United Nations, NATO and the Multinational Force and Observers.