Sudan elections

As the countdown continues to Sudan's first national elections since the peace deal ending the civil war with the south five years ago, every day seems to bring a dramatic twist.

First it was observers who called for a postponement saying the country was not ready.

Then last night the south announced it was withdrawing its candidate from the presidential race and just a short while ago it seems the major northern opposition parties have also decided to boycott the polls.

The BBC's James Copnall is monitoring developments in Khartoum and earlier spoke to Focus on Africa's Bilkisu Labaran.