At least 60 people died when a train went off the rails and into a ravine in the Republic of Congo today.

Opposition calls for a voter boycott in the Republic of Congo’s presidential election appeared to be cutting into the turnout, but it was unclear how it would affect long-time president Denis Sassou-Nguesso’s bid for another term.

Two of the three rebel groups in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region are refusing to sign a peace plan today, jeopardising efforts to end the bloodbath that has cost at least 180,000 lives.

Sudan appeared ready today to agree to disarm Arab militias in Darfur and to accept more rebels into its security forces, key concessions that could clear the way for real progress at the Darfur peace talks.