Iyad Ag Ghali: the Tuareg rebel at the helm of Ansar Dine

This week, we take a look at the leader of Ansar Dine. The group has been busy destroying ancient monuments in Northern Mali. Then, France's new government is promising a new kind of relationship with Africa. And finally France 24 reports exclusively from Togo on the taboo of mental illness and how it can mean a life in chains.

THE WEEK IN AFRICA

Genie Godula

Presenter

10/05/2012 - THE WEEK IN AFRICA

Chad: Threat of famine looms

In Chad, one in five children die before their fifth birthday. The famine this year is so bad that one aid worker we talked to called it a catastrophe. Meanwhile, it was the first reported attack on a shrine in Timbuktu. Some people in Mali now think this could be the beginning of an-all out war against the culture that is the city's hallmark. Finally, we take a listen to Ivory Coast’s new musical craze. Bella Mondo is the country’s first all-girl band.

03/05/2012 - THE WEEK IN AFRICA

South Sudan: Bentiu's battle against shortages and insecurity

The town of Bentiu in South Sudan is not only suffering from the fighting with the north, but from a desperate lack of supplies as well. Our correspondents have the latest from the border. In Mali, chaos still reigns - forces loyal to the former president have been taking on the junta behind the coup last March. We try to figure out just who is really in charge. Finally, the HIFA festival of the arts in Zimbabwe is becoming the new hot spot on the international arts scene.

26/04/2012 - THE WEEK IN AFRICA

Sierra Leone: Charles Taylor found guilty of war crimes

From rebel, to war lord, to president, to convicted criminal - Charles Taylor becomes the first former African head of state to be found guilty by an international criminal court. Next, in Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara visits the town of Duékoué, left badly affected by last year's fighting. Finally, South Sudan steps onto the international economic stage.

19/04/2012 - THE WEEK IN AFRICA

Guinea Bissau: a haven for drug traffickers

The international community is in uproar over another coup d'etat in Guinea Bissau. On top of its political problems, the country has also become a hotbed for drug trafficking. Next, a rare glimpse behind closed doors at negotiations for the new government of Mali. Finally, the return of a legend as South Africa’s Nobel laureate, Nadine Gordimer, releases her first book in seven years.

12/04/2012 - THE WEEK IN AFRICA

Mali: Bamako's last Tuaregs

In Mali, our reporters spoke to Tuaregs in Bamako to get their take on the crisis in the north of the country. One year ago, Ivory Coast ended months of post-election violence by arresting Laurent Gbagbo - we look at how the country is doing one year on. And in Botswana, we meet the Bushmen who were forced out of their homes on an animal reserve.