HARGEISA, Somaliland — In a significant institutional engagement, Pakistani lawyer, international journalist, global affairs expert and Editor in Chief of The Advocate Post Abdul Rafay Afzal met with Mr. Hamse Abdirahman Khaire, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Somaliland, during his official visit to Hargeisa.
The high-level meeting, held at the Bank’s headquarters, focused on a wide-ranging dialogue around financial innovation, monetary sovereignty, and the future of inclusive banking systems in emerging regions. Afzal, known for his international diplomacy work and youth-led policy advocacy, praised Somaliland’s approach to institutional resilience and its efforts to preserve financial sovereignty.
“We explored critical ideas around central banking reform, digital innovation, and economic self-determination — themes that are not only relevant for Somaliland, but resonate across the Global South,” Afzal said following the meeting.
A Gesture of History and Diplomacy
In symbolic moment, the Deputy Governor presented Afzal with a souvenir collection of Somaliland’s earliest currency, including sample banknotes, specimen notes, and the first official coin minted by the Bank of Somaliland (Baanka Somaliland).
The gift reflects both the country’s rich economic heritage and its continued assertion of financial independence — especially significant in the absence of international recognition.
Numismatists and currency historians have described the items presented as “historically meaningful,” representing a sovereign effort to formalize national identity through monetary design.
“This gesture goes beyond protocol — it speaks to the power of currency as a cultural and diplomatic symbol,” Afzal noted. “These pieces are artifacts of resilience, nation-building, and aspiration.”
https://theadvocatepost.org/blog/2025/05/08/abdul-rafay-afzal-meets-governor-punjab-to-discuss-strategic-national-and-international-engagements/
Bridging Diplomacy, Policy, and History
Abdul Rafay Afzal’s visit marks one of the first youth-led diplomatic exchanges between a South Asian policy voice and Somaliland’s financial leadership. The meeting also aligns with his broader mission to foster global South-South cooperation, encourage interregional civic dialogue, and support public institutions through shared knowledge.
Afzal, who currently serves as President (Youth) of the Civil Society Network Pakistan and Editor-in-Chief of The Advocate Post, has previously met with key figures in government, media, and economic policy circles across different nations.
He is also a prominent voice in youth diplomacy, having hosted panels with national leaders and contributed to over a dozen international publications.
Looking Ahead
The meeting has already sparked interest among international governance and numismatic communities, with potential plans for future research, public lectures, or collaborative documentation of Somaliland’s currency history through media and academic platforms.
As Somaliland continues to navigate its path toward greater international visibility and financial recognition, exchanges like this provide meaningful platforms for engagement beyond formal diplomacy — rooted in shared respect, intellectual curiosity, and cultural appreciation.
