PM Hamza announces elections to be held in Jubaland regions and the process

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) — The Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, has stated that elections will be held in the regions of Jubaland where the situation allows, while areas where voting cannot take place will use an alternative election process designed for such circumstances.

Hamza made this statement in an interview he gave to the Miizaan Podcast program of Dawan Media, which was aired on Saturday, providing details about the federal government's election plans for the country.

“The elections will take place, and they will happen wherever they can,” said the Prime Minister.

Hamza stated that the situation in Jubaland is different from that of some other regional states, noting that the federal government does not recognize the current administration in Jubaland.

He mentioned that the federal government wants Jubaland to be part of the elections, and that voting will take place in all areas where security and other conditions allow.

“We want the elections to happen, and Jubaland to be part of Somalia,” he said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that the conditions in some areas of Jubaland may make it impossible to conduct direct voting there.

He cited Jilib, Bu’aale, Hagar, Jamaame, and Badhaadhe as examples, stating that if elections cannot be held in those areas or elsewhere, an election process designed for such situations will be used.

Hamza stated that the system known as “one electoral area” provides election committees with a method to manage seats or areas where voting cannot take place.

He gave examples from Iraq and Afghanistan, stating that elections there occurred in areas where voting could not take place, but alternative methods were used to manage those situations.

The Prime Minister's remarks indicate that the federal government is planning to continue the elections in Jubaland even if direct voting cannot be held in all areas of the administration.

The Situation in the Northeast

Hamza also spoke about the Northeast State, stating that voter registration and local government elections will be held there.

He mentioned that the leaders and parliament of that administration still have their current terms, thus their situation is different from other areas where political disputes are ongoing.

The Prime Minister also stated that Puntland has different circumstances from some other regional states, without providing further details on how this will apply to upcoming elections.

Hamza's remarks come as the federal government continues its plans for one-person, one-vote elections. The government has previously stated its commitment to...

However, his commitment may face challenges due to the ongoing disputes between the federal government and the regional administrations of Jubaland and Puntland, which have not had a good relationship with Mogadishu for several years.