Somali opposition leaders and the regional states of Jubbaland and Puntland, as well as the country's senate, have rejected parliament's decision to extend the presidential term by two years.

The Somali Lower House of Parliament on Monday overwhelmingly extended President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s term in office, and that of the federal parliament by two years.

Jubbaland state government said parliament's move was a setback to rebuilding the country’s governance.

A spokesperson for Puntland’s President Sa’id Abdullahi Deni tweeted that the “it was an illegal move by the out of mandate Lower House".

Somalia’s senate’s First Deputy Speaker Abshir Ahmed questioned the power by the Lower House to take such a controversial decision without the senate's approval.

In a tweet, former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said the president “will solely be held responsible for what happens today or will happen”.

President Farmajo praised the decision and called on the Somali people to take advantage of the opportunity and participate in the country’s political process.