Ahmed Hussen Egal arrived in Sweden from Somalia 16 years ago with only the clothes on his back.

Exiled and in despair, Osman Jama Ali had no idea of the impact an unexpected letter would have on his life. The Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia’s first government for a decade talks to Mary Lean.

It's not just the ethereal scenery that brings people from conflict areas to Caux in Switzerland. Mary Lean takes part in a remarkable meeting of hearts.

The conference was opened by Julius Khakula, the Chairman of MRA, Kenya. 'For Africa, the 19th century was a period of assault by external forces and confusion,' he told participants from 12 African countries. 'The 20th century has been a period of awakening.

Yusuf Al-Azhari spent six years in solitary confinement as a political prisoner. Now he is helping to bring Somalia's warlords together. Michael Smith tells his story: