It is the supreme law documenting the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of Puntland, subject only to Somalia's federal constitution.

Delegates representing various local clans began arriving in Garowe from early May 1998 for the opening of the constitutional conference on 15 May.

Organisation of the “Shir Beeleed” (community conference), subsequently known as the “Shir-Beeleedka Dastuuriga ah ee Garowe” (Garowe Community Constitutional Conference), included the registration and accommodation of delegates, undertaken by a preparatory committee which organised the whole conference process and drafted the charter with the help of a group of international constitutional lawyers.

A provisional Charter was adopted in July and a president and vice-president were elected, marking the establishment of the Puntland State of Somalia.

The transitional constitution made way for an anticipated federal Somalia.