UN targets 2022 for withdrawal from DR Congo

A soldier stands beside a UN armoured vehicle on October 23, 2014 in Beni, DR Congo. PHOTO | ALAIN WANDIMOYI | AFP

A UN strategic review has recommended that its 16,000-strong mission in the Democratic Republic Congo Monusco starts phased exit from the country in "an absolute minimum of three years."

The mission began two decades ago and has an annual budget of over $1 billion but its current mandate comes to an end on December 31.