The protests came after the opposition Waddani and UCID parties declared the government “illegitimate”.

President Bihi's first term in office was due to end on Sunday but lawmakers last month extended it by two years. This was after the electoral commission called for a delay in the elections due to financial and technical constraints.

The president was first elected in November 2017.

Waddani and UCID parties have said they no longer recognise him as president.

Police have warned against more protests and asked people to remain in their homes.

Several people were killed and dozens wounded in August when police fired at pro-opposition supporters calling for elections.

The tensions over the president's term threatens to undermine relative stability in Somaliland, which declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991.

President Muse Bihi Abdi.