MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, has said that the country’s electoral system can only be determined by the Somali people, rejecting what he described as attempts by political figures to claim authority over the process.

Speaking amid continuing debate over Somalia’s electoral framework, Jama criticised politicians who, in his view, portray themselves as decision-makers despite having no formal role in determining the country’s election model.

“Some of those you see are claiming that they will decide the country’s election, yet they are not meaningfully involved in the process,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the central disagreement between the Federal Government and opposition groups concerns the type of electoral system Somalia should adopt.

“The question that must be answered is what kind of election we want,” Jama said. “Do we want to return to a system controlled by traditional elders, or do we want an election in which citizens directly choose the representatives they prefer? That is the fundamental issue dividing the government and the opposition.”

His remarks come amid continued political tensions over Somalia’s future electoral process, with the Federal Government and opposition leaders remaining divided over the structure, administration and legitimacy of the country’s next elections.