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Reports from the Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Djibouti and Madagascar.

Andrew Harding reports from Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, where he contrasts the lives of the French diplomats eating their coq au vin with the Christian militia groups with their long knives and eccentric wigs. And, Kim Chakanetsa, born and bred in Zimbabwe reflects on the reign of Robert Gabriel Mugabe as he celebrates his 90th birthday. Frank Gardner explores the only permanent US military base on African shores in Djibouti, and Tamasin Ford in Madagascar experiences the pillaging of the precious Bois de Rose with its incredible ruby coloured wood.

(Photo: A young drum majorette wears a commemorative cap during a rally marking Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe 88th birthday in Mutare on February 25, 2012. Credit: Jekesai Njikizana/AFP/Getty Images)

Available now

25 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sat 22 Feb 2014 12:06GMT
  • Sun 23 Feb 2014 01:06GMT
  • Sun 23 Feb 2014 09:06GMT