Mogadishu, 18 May 2026 – The High-Level Steering Committee of the Towards Peace and Stability in Somalia (TPSS) programme met today at Villa Hargeisa in Mogadishu to confirm the strategic direction and approve new operational priorities for the initiative, against the backdrop of Somalia’s constantly changing situation.
The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, the Italian Ambassador to Somalia, Mario Daccò Coppi, and the Head of the AICS Nairobi Office, Fabio Minniti, together with representatives of the Somali Federal Government and the Project Management Unit.
During the session, the Committee approved a new project under the TPSS programme, supported by the Italian Cooperation. The new project aims to rehabilitate and bring into operation the Sheikh Ahmed Gabyow Hospital in the Adale district, in the Hirshabelle Federal State, an area with a population of around 100,000, including many internally displaced persons (IPDs), and where, to date, there is no fully functioning district hospital. The hospital currently lacks inpatient wards, an A&E department, diagnostic laboratories, operating theatres, blood transfusion services or ambulances; these shortcomings force patients in emergency situations or women facing complications during pregnancy or childbirth to travel over 180 kilometres to reach Mogadishu.
This project joins two others in the health sector, in the districts of Harardhere and Afmadow, where rehabilitation and construction work began in recent weeks.
Ambassador Pier Mario Daccò Coppi stated: “Italy attaches great importance to its partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia and reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to strengthening the Somali healthcare sector, a fundamental pillar of social stability, sustainable development and the well-being of the Somali people”.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre acknowledged Italy’s long-standing support as a key and reliable partner on the path to stability and development, highlighting the tangible results achieved through the fruitful collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Office, the Italian government and AICS.
“With the approval of this new initiative, the TPSS programme takes a further concrete step towards addressing the urgent needs of Somali communities, whilst strengthening the capacity of public institutions to provide essential services in areas strategic to the country’s stabilisation process,” said Fabio Minniti.
Background information
The Towards Peace and Stability in Somalia (TPSS) programme is funded by Italy through AICS and implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia. The initiative has an initial budget of €3.82 million and is designed as a platform open to future contributions from other international partners.
The programme adopts an integrated humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach, combining emergency response, institutional strengthening and community resilience. Funded projects are identified through bottom-up consultations with local authorities, host communities, women, young people and vulnerable groups, and are overseen by a dedicated Project Management Unit, with the support of independent monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.