The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the South Sudanese ambassador to Khartoum yesterday to protest against allegations of support to rebels.

The two countries have continuously accused each other of backing rebel groups since the independence of South Sudan in 2011.

The Sudanese officials asked Mayen Dut Wol to explain what they consider ‘unfair coverage of Sudan in the South Sudanese media’.

“And Mayen told the Foreign Affairs ministry that summoned him that as far media is concerned, of course, there is free media here in South Sudan and everything that they write is based on the report that they get and there is no intention by the media of South Sudan to write against South Sudan,” said Mawien Makol, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Amb Makol reiterated that South Sudan government does not support any Sudanese rebel group.

“There is no any interest whatsoever of this government in South Sudan to support the rebels that are fighting the government of Sudan,” he added.

“Sudan and South Sudan have good relationship and we have cooperation agreement.”

Juba often accuses Khartoum of supporting the Dr Riek Machar-led anti-government group, an allegation it denies.

On the other hand, Khartoum claims that the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), SPLMA-North and other armed opposition groups are supported by Juba.