![President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (file photo)](http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51870000/jpg/_51870097_011370252-1.jpg)
Somalia's UN-backed government has extended its mandate for another year despite criticism from donors and attacks by Islamist extremists.
The government of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist former rebel, was due to leave office in August 2011.The announcement comes after Somalia's parliament last month extended its mandate for three years.
Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda control much of the country.
But the government, backed by African Union troops, has recently gained some ground in the capital, Mogadishu from the al-Shabab militants.
![map](http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51870000/gif/_51870182_somalia_mog_304x171.gif)
Western donors, who help fund the authority, have criticised it recently.
The current parliament was chosen during a peace conference in 2004.
Somalia has not had a functioning national government since Siad Barre was ousted 20 years ago.
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