The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was ”deeply concerned” over the armed clashes in Mogadishu.

In a statement, UN chief Antonio Guterres urged Somali political leaders to refrain from violence and return to dialogue instead.

”The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the recent armed clashes in Mogadishu. He reiterates his call for all Somali stakeholders to refrain from further violence and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise,” the statement read.

”He reiterates his call for all Somali stakeholders to refrain from further violence and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise’ the state read.

The Secretary-General’s statement is in response to clashes in Mogadishu between government forces and opposition forces.

Renewed violence in Mogadishu stems from the country’s failed elections and the formation of a two-year extension of the Federal Government by the opposition and some administrations