In December 1990, during Perestroika, the Supreme Council of Karakalpak ASSR adopted a "Declaration on State Sovereignty" over the Soviet Union which it allowed for Karakalpakstan to gain independence through the means of a referendum while the Uzbek SSR had declared its own independence in August 1991 shortly after the failed Soviet coup d'état attempt.[12] By that time, Karakalpakstan was recognized by the central Soviet government as holding a "state status" and, in November 1991, Dauletbay Shamshetov [ru] was elected as the first president of Karakalpakstan by the Supreme Council before eventually stepping down in June 1992.[13] After the dissolution of the Soviet Union took place, the Republic of Karakalpakstan was formed in January 1992,[14] and subsequently became an autonomous republic under the Uzbek authority the adoption of the Constitution of Uzbekistan in December 1992.[15] In 1993, a 20-year period interstate agreement on the entry of the Republic of Karakalpakstan into Uzbekistan was signed by both governments which granted the right of Karakalpakstan to secede from Uzbekistan through a referendum.