Emmanuel Akimotu

Analysis from the Conflict Insights Group shows how Colombian mercenaries were deployed from multiple military bases, including in the UAE, to support the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.

And documents show the Colombian mercenaries were deployed by a UAE-based company with close ties to senior Emirati government officials.

The UAE has denied mounting evidence that it supports the RSF.

The group took over the city of Al-Fashir in October last year after a brutal 18-month siege on the regional capital.

According to human rights groups, tens of thousands of people were killed by the RSF and allied Arab militias in the city in some of the worst crimes of the more than three years' civil war.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

Dozens of children were among the dead, killed by a landslide at the Rubaiya mine after heavy rains.

Fatal incidents are common in the DRC, one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world, where international corporations have major investments, but where child labour, exploitative and unsafe conditions are systemic.

The Rubaya mine was on a list of assets recently offered by the DRC government to the US as part of a mineral deal with the Trump administration.

The mine is controlled by the M23 rebel group, which has taken over much of eastern DRC.

This week, the US government sanctioned neighbouring Rwanda's military for actively supporting, training and fighting alongside the M23 rebel group.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

The strikes occurred overnight on Friday morning local time in northwest Nigeria.

ISIS militants were targeted in the attacks, described as deadly by President Trump, but officials have given few details.

Trump said more strikes would follow.

Nigeria's government has come out in support of the operation.

Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuga said he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shortly before the strikes, but has faced criticism and questions on whether Nigeria gave consent or was simply consulted.

Nigeria has faced pressure from U.S.

officials who claim Christians are facing a genocide from armed groups whose security experts say target both Christians and Muslims.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.