Aid worker critically injured in Yei River State

Sister Veronica Rackova is the Medical Director at the church affiliated St. Bakhita Health Centre in Yei. She was driving a well marked ambulance by the time of the incident.

The nun sustained injuries in the hip and was evacuated to Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Monday, May 16 for medical attention. Her condition still remains unknown.

Authorities in Yei say three suspects believed to be Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers have been arrested and detained in connection to the shooting.

The army leadership in the area could not be reached for comment.

Radio Easter has quoted the State Minister for Information, Stephen Lodu Onesimo, saying a criminal case has been instituted against the suspects.

According to Lodu, the three soldiers belong to a joint operation unit that conducts night patrols in and around Yei town. They reportedly opened fire and shot several times at the ambulance the victim was driving.

“Ambulances are not supposed to be stopped while moving on the street, because an ambulance has special provision from the ministry of health,” Lodu said.

The Secretary-General of the Catholic Diocese of Yei, Father Emanuel Lodongo Sebit, identified Veronica Rackova as a Slovakian, clearing earlier reports that she was German.

Locals in Yei have condemned the incident and described it as barbaric.

Sources that declined to be named said the foreign missionary was sacrificing her life and sleep to transport expecting mothers.

Others said it was their first time to hear of an ambulance being shot at, despite its role of providing emergency services at any time.