Iranian president embarks on a rare trip to Africa

Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi , embarks this Tuesday on a rare tour of Africa in an effort to reduce the Islamic republic's isolation by forging new alliances.

The three-day trip to Africa is the first by an Iranian president in 11 years.

President Ebrahim Raisi is to visit Kenya , Uganda and Zimbabwe .

Saturday, Raisi welcomed Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in a bid to boost relations with Algiers .

In March, Iran and regional rival Saudi Arabia agreed to restore ties under a China-mediated deal.

Last month, President Raisi visited Latin America before heading to Indonesia .