JOHANNESBURG

A South African peacekeeper died in hospital on Saturday, bringing the number of peacekeepers who have lost their lives during recent clashes with the M23 rebels in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, to 18.

According to officials, the dead include 14 South African peacekeepers, three Malawians and a peacekeeper serving with the UN mission in Congo, whose nationality has not been revealed.

South Africa is part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

The M23 rebels are engaged in a long-standing conflict with Congolese forces, said to be seeking the region’s natural resources.

The group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, launched a major offensive last week and later claimed to capture the city of Goma.

Rwanda denies supporting the group.

The M23 says it is defending the interests of minority Congolese Tutsis, who say are discriminated against for their ethnic ties to Rwanda's Tutsi community.

The UN has issued urgent appeals to end the violence, which has claimed at least 700 lives, while 2,800 others have been injured in less than a week.

The offensive has also heightened humanitarian crisis in the region, causing food and water shortages and displacement, according to the UN and officials.