The late news bulletin on state television showed images of the sultan's coffin being buried in Sokoto by a crowd of men in white robes. His son, a senator, also died in the crash.

Sudan is in the news for all the wrong reasons. What people should know about Sudan are the locals' pride in welcoming guests and the amazing things that can be seen around the country.

A press release from SPLM-North also accuses the Sudanese armed forces of bombing and killing civilians in Blue Nile, and arresting hundreds of its party members.