Two aid workers held hostage in Darfur, one French and one Canadian, have been freed after three weeks in captivity.

Sudan braced for a diplomatic showdown today as the government confirmed it intended to secure the chairmanship of the African Union.

SUDAN’S president Omar el-Bashir called on his people to train and prepare to defend their government and country against internal and external enemies, reacting angrily to what authorities said was a foiled coup plot.

Sudan is not afraid of a UN resolution threatening sanctions over the violence in Darfur, President Omar el-Bashir has been quoted as saying.