Somaliland presidential election, 2003
Encyclopedia
Presidential elections in Somaliland
, a de facto state that is claimed in whole by Somalia
, were held on 14 April 2003. Results show that president Dahir Riyale Kahin
won by the slightest of margins were released on April 19. Initially rejected by the main opposition, this led to some violence in the country, spurring Somaliland to ban public protests for a 10 day period on April 22. Nevertheless, the International Crisis Group
labeled the election a democratic "milestone" for the breakaway state. On May 11 the Somaliland constitutional court endorsed Kahin's victory after requesting a recount.
Somaliland
Somaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
, a de facto state that is claimed in whole by Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, were held on 14 April 2003. Results show that president Dahir Riyale Kahin
Dahir Riyale Kahin
Dahir Rayale Kahin was the third President of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as a part of Somalia. He became the third president of Somaliland on May 3, 2002, after the death of Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal...
won by the slightest of margins were released on April 19. Initially rejected by the main opposition, this led to some violence in the country, spurring Somaliland to ban public protests for a 10 day period on April 22. Nevertheless, the International Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts around the world through field-based analyses and high-level advocacy.-History:...
labeled the election a democratic "milestone" for the breakaway state. On May 11 the Somaliland constitutional court endorsed Kahin's victory after requesting a recount.