Local authorities have decided to change Wau’s old names of residential areas to new ones that signal local culture and history.
Wau County Commissioner John Peter Miskin on Tuesday issued directives instructing all chiefs to rename the areas within two months.Mr Peter told Voice of Hope that the directives to change the names come as a result of last month’s workshop between the Ministry of Interior and people concerned with issues related to the land in Western Bahr El Ghazal.
The workshop suggested altering names that show local history and culture.
Old places like Goti Louma, Hai Saha, Mariaka, Zihour and Fatah have to be renamed.
Mr Peter asked Chiefs to change the names in a democratic way involving residents in the choice.
He said if they fail, the local authorities will make the changes taking into account old records.
During the war, names of Wau’s residential areas were changed according to their chiefs and people who mainly controlled the places.