Humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Somalia

Millions of people in Somalia are on the brink of starvation. We speak to Rein Paulsen from the FAO, who is in Somalia meeting with drought-affected communities. Meanwhile, campaigning for Kenya's presidential elections picked up again on Wednesday after a deeply underwhelming presidential debate. And Senegal heads to the polls on Sunday for legislative elections in which 165 seats are up for grabs.

More than seven million people are in need or urgent humanitarian assistance in Somalia, the Food and Agriculture Organization has said, as the U.N. agency warned that parts of the country could experience famine next month.

The Pope raised the plight of Somalians struggling to cope with drought in his Sunday address at the Vatican. The pontiff appealed to the international community to help Somalia as the country is in the grip of a hunger crisis.

Security forces have ended a siege by al Qaeda-linked militants at a hotel in Somalia's capital in which more than 20 people were killed and dozens injured, authorities said on Sunday.

Security forces are still trying to retake the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, a venue popular with lawmakers and government officials, following an overnight siege.

Families in parts of Somalia affected by conflict are receiving cash donations to help them cope as the country battles drought and rising inflation. This emergency relief is the first in a series of monthly payments to support people pushed out of their homes by the severe drought.

Telling untold stories is in the blood of Bilan Media, Somalia's only all-female news outlet. From gender-based violence to balancing school and home, Bilan Media pays particular attention to women in its reporting.

The fifth drought in as many years has brought Somalia to the brink, raising fears of a deadly famine. Hundreds of children have already died from severe acute malnutrition.

Burkina Faso's leader vows a crackdown on armed extremists. The UN warns that Somalia is on the brink of famine. And a skateboarding crew in Ethiopia's capital brings together young girls from all backgrounds.

Elizabeth Shoo speaks to Somali human rights activist Ilwad Elman, the winner of the 2020 German African Prize. Having left Somalia at a young age, she returned to her homeland in 2010 to follow in the footsteps of her activist family. Today her organization rehabilitates child soldiers and victims of sexual violence.

Car bombings in central Somalia claimed the lives of scores of people, including senior regional officials. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack as the government ups its efforts against the terror group.

The death toll from this week's truck bombings has risen to at least 40, but local and national authorities say the latest attacks from the al-Shabab group will not deter them from fighting the terrorists.