By Zamzam Daqare. - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 26 September 2026 - Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said elections will be held in areas of Jubaland where conditions allow, while existing electoral procedures will be used in places where voting cannot take place.
Hamza made the remarks in an interview on Dawan's Miizaan Podcast , published on Saturday.
"The election will take place, and it will be held wherever it can be held," Hamza said.
The prime minister said the situation in Jubaland differs from that of some other federal member states, noting that the federal government does not recognise the current administrative system in Jubaland.
Hamza said the federal government wants elections to take place in Jubaland and intends to hold voting in areas where conditions allow.
"We want the election to take place and for Jubaland to be part of Somalia," he said.
He said voting would be held in all areas where it is possible, but acknowledged that existing conditions could prevent elections from taking place in some locations.
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Hamza cited Jilib, Bu'aale, Hagar, Jamaame and Badhaadhe, saying that if elections cannot be held in those areas or elsewhere because of prevailing conditions, the electoral procedures designed for such circumstances would be used.
The prime minister said the "single constituency" system provides a mechanism for dealing with situations where voting cannot take place in certain areas.
He cited Iraq and Afghanistan as examples, saying elections in those countries had included areas where voting could not take place but mechanisms were used to address those circumstances.
Hamza also discussed the situation in North East State, saying voter registration and local government elections would take place there, while its leadership and parliament still have their existing mandates.
He said Puntland has circumstances that differ from those of other federal member states.
The remarks come as the federal government pushes ahead with its direct elections plan amid accusations from Jubaland and Puntland that it is pursuing unilateral decisions on electoral reforms.