Somalia's transitional parliament extended its term by three years without consulting with the local population and other allies to find a way forward for the war-torn country

The horn of Africa nation has not had an effective government since Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown two decades ago. The transitional government has been battling Islamist insurgents for years over control of Mogadishu and other parts of the country. Lawmakers have voted to extend the transitional government and parliament beyond its term scheduled to end in August 2011. The three-year extension prompted criticism from the international community. "Our concern is that the international community has urged the Somali government to consult very wisely with Somalis - including those in the diaspora - and their international partners to find a way forward," said Matt Goshko, public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy's Somali affairs unit in Nairobi, Kenya. Goshko said the transitional parliament disregarded an African Union request for expanded consultation. The Somali government was expected to have approved a new constitution and hold a general election before August 2011. It will not meet those goals, according to the United Nations, which also criticized the extension.