Relations between Sudan and South Sudan are at their “lowest ebb” according to the UN envoy while cautioning both not to undermine stability within and between them.

"One has to recognize that the internal situations in both Sudan and South Sudan can impact on the capacity for both countries to interact,” Nicholas Haysom said the UN envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, according to the UN Mission in South Sudan. “We know already that there are mutual accusations about each interfering in the internal affairs of the other, principally by supporting insurgent groups,”

In August, First Vice President Taban Deng pledged to pause South Sudan’s support for rebel groups in the two areas. Haysom said that Juba and Khartoum are discussing the creation of a buffer zone and creating joint police patrols, according to UNMISS.