Somalia's president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's second term ended earlier this year but his government declared a 'transition period' in May. (AFP pic)MOGADISHU: Somalia announced on Thursday that parliamentary and presidential elections would be held next year in the deeply fragmented country that faces a long-running Islamist insurgency.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's second term ended earlier this year but his government declared a "transition period" in May, despite an agreement with the opposition on holding elections.

Mohamud has been attempting to move Somalia towards democratic elections, replacing a system based around clan elders, although his attempts have been opposed by regional leaders, who view it as a power grab.