MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has called for calm and dialogue after overnight clashes in the capital between backers and opponents of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as "Farmajo.” Analysts worry the political stand-off over parliament’s term extension for Farmajo could quickly turn into an armed conflict.

Roble says he was saddened by the overnight violence in the capital, Mogadishu, between government security agencies and forces from the opposition. He added that dialogue and understanding are the only ways to resolve the stalemate.

Clashes were reported at the home of opposition Wadajir party leader Abdulrahman Abdishakur, and at the home of former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The former president is among those who oppose Farmajo’s term extension.

Somali opposition leaders have blamed Farmajo and security forces for the fighting, but Security Minister Hassan Hundubey denies the accusations and blames the opposition. The crisis is related to delayed elections.

Somalia’s parliamentary and presidential elections have been held up for months because of disputes over the electoral process.