EXTENSION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD OF THE SOMALILAND INTERIM CONSTITUTION

Under Article 151 of the Somaliland 1997 Interim Constitution, the Constitution shall come into force when a referendum has been held and the outcome of the referendum is known, but  It shall be implemented, in the interim, for a period of three years (3) beginning with the date when it is approved by the 3^rd Conference of the Somaliland Communities.  If, however,  the referendum can not be held within the set period, the interim period in which the Constitution is implemented may be increased by the two Houses (the Representatives and the Elders).

The Interim Constitution was adopted on 16  February 1997 and so the three year period was to expire 16 February 2000.  Both House met in February 2000 and extended the period by one year.  

In another joint meeting held on  13 February  2001, the two Houses approved by 64 votes against 44 the extension of the term of  interim constitution for another 6 months i.e until 16 August 2002. The Parliament debated during two joint sessions a proposal by the Government Administration to extend the term of the constitution, which was due to expire on 16 February 2001 for another 3 months.

The Referendum was finally held on 31 May 2001 and the amended Constitution was endorsed with an overwhelming majority.

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