Three reports on the quest for stable government in Africa, introduced by Edward Stourton.

In Zamfara, northern Nigeria, Muslim Sharia law is now in place in spite of opposition by the country's secular government. Emily Buchanan reports on the fears of the province's Christian minority. Meanwhile, Peter Gill follows the Rev Joseph Ayok, a Sudanese refugee, as he returns to his war-torn homeland to find a humanitarian crisis.

After years of military dictatorship, Mali is trying to make strides towards more democracy. Tim Whewell reports on an innovative project that will allow citizens to take their complaints directly to the country's rulers.
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