Somali Opposition Welcomes President Dropping Term Extension

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - Somalia's opposition politicians have cautiously welcomed President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's move to drop a controversial two-year extension of his term in office. But questions remain on his intentions, and how the country is going to hold already-delayed elections. 

Forces loyal to opposition leaders and government security agencies had clashed in Mogadishu on Sunday, injuring several people. But residents who fled their neighborhoods are returning home now that the president, commonly known as Farmajo, and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble are calling for calm. While members of the opposition supported Farmajo's announcement Tuesday, they remain skeptical about the next moves by the president, whose term in office expired in February.  Abdulrahman Abdishakur, a presidential candidate and the leader of the Wadajir political party, said Farmajo is not clear on the way forward.