Locals in the area fight over the mining of coltan, a vital mineral in making cellphones.

A battalion of soldiers has been despatched to the village of Rubaya, north of the Kivus capital Goma after the weekend attack.

The rebel Mai Mai group, that finances its operations with the proceeds of coltan sales, operates lethally in the area.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege, who was recognized for his work on rape victims in the Congo, also has a campaign urging electronics companies to ensure that they are not using blood minerals in the manufacture of their products.

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The SDNDF member died in clashes sparked by President Joseph Kabila’s decision to stay in office after his constitutional mandate expires today.

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SANDF spokesman Ronald Maseko says they’ll release a statement when the soldier’s family has been informed.

The peacekeeper was one of seven people who died in clashes in the North Kivu city of Butembo.

He and a policemen and five members of the Mai Mai were killed when the militia attacked a prison and other government installations.

Congolese officials have braced for further attacks in the giant central African country where the opposition has violently opposed what it calls  a power grab by President Joseph Kabila.

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Five rebels and policemen were killed when police confronted militia attacking a prison.

The deal clashes, probably involving Mal Mal fighters took place in Butembo, a city of about a million people in North Kivu province.

The militia attacked a prison and other installations.

Mai-Mai fighters  have staged several attacks in Butembo in recent months.

The  reasons for their return are unclear, some residents say they have heard some fighters claim they are seeking to oust Kabila.

The president’s mandate ends today.

He’s barred from a third mandate under the constitution and the opposition has accused the authorities of delaying an election in the hope of reworking the constitution to extend his tenure.

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The SANDF has not released the name of the soldier killed in clashes in the North Kivu city of Butembo.

The United Nations Secretary General has called on the DRC authorities to investigate the attacking and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The assailants  are believed to be from the Mai Mal militia  who have regularly attacked the UN peacekeepers known as MONUSCO.

Two South African soldiers were wounded in the onslaught that killed a policeman and five militia members.

Special representative of the secretary general Maman Sidikou says the attack constitutes a war crime but it won’t undermine the commitment and determination of MONUSCO to fulfill its mandate to protect civilians and neutralise armed groups mandate.

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