Somalia PM announces Jubaland election plans and security updates

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has announced that elections in Jubaland will proceed in accessible areas, utilizing alternative electoral procedures for regions where security or logistical constraints prevent voting. The federal government aims to include Jubaland in the process despite ongoing political disputes with the regional administration. Specific districts, including Jilib, Bu’aale, Hagar, Jamaame, and Badhaadhe, have been identified as areas where voting may be impacted by security conditions.

This move is part of a broader push by the federal government to implement a ‘single constituency’ electoral model and transition from an indirect system to a direct, one-person, one-vote system. However, regional administrations in Jubaland and Puntland continue to oppose the current electoral framework, arguing that such changes require negotiated political agreements.

In a separate development, Prime Minister Barre praised the Somali security forces during a ceremony in Mogadishu. Officials reported that security incidents in the capital declined by 86.06 percent between 2023 and 2026, a trend attributed to the implementation of a coordinated security plan.