Elections in Puntland

This led to a confrontation with Chief Justice Yusuf Haji Nur, who claimed interim presidential powers pending elections.

Ahmed refused to accept the elders' decision and, in December 2001, seized the administrative capital, Garowe, reportedly with Ethiopian support.

Overseen by the Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC), the constitution represented the final step in the extant regional democratization process and was scheduled to be followed by the formation of political parties.

The association counts over 200 members and represents the incumbent Puntland government, including Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire and the state Ministers.

[10] Five other political associations were established the following month, including the Development and Justice Party Horcad[11] launched by an entrepreneur and businessman Omar Ismail Waberi along other politicians, the Union of the People of the Regions or UPR Somali: Ururka Gobolada Umadaha Bahoobey (UGUB)[12] Midnimo, Talowadaag (Consensus-building), and GAHAYR or Council of Education and Development towards Founding the True Goal (Somali: Golaha Aqoonta iyo Horumarinta ee Asaaska Yoolka Runta).