The office was established following the formation of Puntland on August 1, 1998, and is held by five officials, and two interim vice presidents, elected by the Parliament of Puntland.

The first vice president was Mohamed Abdi Hashi.

[1][2][3] In 1998, the self-autonomous Puntland State declared its autonomy, and Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was chosen as its first president, with Mohamed Abdi Hashi serving as his vice president.

Puntland had a single-chamber quasi-legislature called the Council of Elders.

Ahmed served in the office of the president from July 23, 1998, to June 30, 2001.