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Here are today's top stories from VOA Africa:

Peacekeepers Report Armed Buildup in Darfur Joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force says military escalation may signal new cycle of fighting in area Paris AIDS Conference Confirms Modest Protection by Trial Vaccine Vaccine researcher says, however, trial revealed important data (File Photo - 04 Aug 2009)" src="imap://rscaru%40gmail%2Ecom@imap.googlemail.com:993/english/images/AP-President-Mamadou-Tandja-in-Niger-eng-210-4aug09.jpg" alt="President Mamadou Tandja casts his vote in a constitutional referendum that would keep him in power, in Niamey, Niger (File Photo - 04 Aug 2009)" align="left" border="0" width="80"> ECOWAS Suspends Niger in Dispute Over Constitution Regional alliance wanted Niger to delay vote to allow for political dialogue following controversial referendum New Sudan Referendum Deal Raises Fresh Challenges Agreement allows South to secede with simple majority vote, but will require voter turnout of two-thirds for referendum to be considered valid Somali Clan Disputes Giving Boost to al-Shabab Analysts say clan interests are again playing pivotal role in creating conflicts in Somalia Botswana's Khama Sworn In As President Botswana Democratic Party won 45 of 57 seats in Friday's parliamentary elections Nigeria to Offer Niger Delta Residents Stake in Oil Ventures Officials say President Umaru Yar'Adua's initiative would signal a new phase in government efforts to broker a lasting peace in the area