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Puntland state, situated in northeastern Somalia, emerged as a self-declared autonomous region under the leadership of Abdullahi Yusuf. Established in 1998, Puntland aimed to provide stability and governance amid the civil unrest that plagued Somalia during that period. Yusuf, a prominent political figure in the region, played a pivotal role in its formation and served as the first president of Puntland, laying the groundwork for its political structures and institutions.