Switzerland reaffirms commitment to supporting Somalia’s state-building priorities and public service delivery

Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation,  Ali Yusuf Ali, on Tuesday held high-level talks in Mogadishu with a senior delegation from Switzerland led by the Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Ambassador Patricia Danzi.

The Swiss delegation included Ambassador Philipp Stalder, Head of the Africa Division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Swiss Ambassador to Somalia, Mirko Giulietti, and Martina Durrer, Head of International Cooperation for the Horn of Africa.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Somalia and Switzerland, particularly in key priority areas such as federalism, stabilization, reconciliation, and the development of effective local governance structures. Discussions also covered ongoing and future programs aimed at supporting Somalia’s state-building efforts and improving the delivery of public services at the community level.

Minister Ali Yusuf Ali highlighted the importance of sustained international partnerships in advancing Somalia’s federal system and promoting lasting peace and stability across the country. He emphasized that cooperation with trusted partners like Switzerland plays a critical role in supporting reconciliation processes, strengthening institutions, and empowering local administrations to better serve citizens.

For her part, Ambassador Patricia Danzi reaffirmed Switzerland’s strong commitment to supporting Somalia’s national priorities, particularly in governance, decentralization, and resilience-building. She noted that Switzerland values its partnership with Somalia and remains dedicated to working closely with federal and local authorities to promote inclusive development and durable stability.

Both sides agreed on the need to deepen collaboration and maintain close coordination to ensure that development and stabilization initiatives align with Somalia’s long-term vision for peace, unity, and effective governance. The meeting underscored the growing partnership between Somalia and Switzerland and their shared commitment to supporting sustainable development and state-building efforts across the country.