Somaliland presidential election, 2003

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.