Somalia, on the north east coast of Africa, is perhaps the ultimate 'failed state'.

Civil wars, fuelled by outside intervention, have been raging almost constantly for the past 20 years - and during most of that time there hasn't been a functioning central government.

It is one of the most dangerous places in the world, with killings, kidnappings and piracy off the coast all rife.

The BBC's Mark Doyle has had rare access to the capital Mogadishu, the epicentre of the violence.

On patrol with AU troops in Mogadishu-- Watch the Video

Mark Doyle joins African Union peacekeeping troops as they patrol the Somali capital - and sees the extent of the devastation caused by the years of civil war.

At a clinic in Mogadishu- Watch the Video

The Ugandan Army field clinic in Mogadishu is inundated with people from the violent capital, desperately seeking the limited free medical care that the African Union soldiers and doctors can offer.

On a food aid ship bound for Somalia- Watch the Video

Mark Doyle travelled to Mombasa, Kenya to join a UN World Food Programme ship being loaded up before leaving for Mogadishu. Some three million Somalis currently require aid.

He also spent time on a Canadian naval vessel which accompanies the food aid ship on its journey, in an attempt to prevent attacks of piracy.

Watch the Video

Source:BBC