News Desk
President Dr Mohammed Muizzu has announced a new cabinet structure, reducing the number of ministries and appointing a revised line up of ministers as part of a wider effort to strengthen the administration after this month’s local council elections.
The reshuffle follows the resignation of ten ministers earlier in the day. The President’s Office said the ministers stepped down to support the government’s plan to adjust its work in line with public expectations. The administration has framed the restructuring as a move to improve efficiency, streamline mandates and bring clearer focus to priority areas.
With the new appointments, the cabinet now stands at 13 ministers, including the Attorney General. The previous structure had 20 ministers. Several ministries have been merged, and overlapping portfolios have been consolidated to reduce administrative fragmentation.
Twelve ministers were sworn in at a ceremony at the President’s Office tonight. Four are new to the cabinet: Dr Irtisham Adam, previously High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, as Minister of Foreign Affairs; former government spokesperson Heena Waleed as Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage; Geela Ali as Minister of Health, Family and Welfare; and former climate envoy Ali Shareef as Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.
The updated cabinet includes:
- Moosa Zameer, Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises
• Ali Ihsan, Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology
• Dr Irtisham Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Geela Ali, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare
• Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade
• Dr Mohammed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs
• Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation
• Heena Waleed, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage
• Abdullah Muthalib, Minister of Infrastructure, Urban and Housing Development
• Ali Shareef, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy
• Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills
• Abdulla Rafiu, Minister of Youth, Sports Empowerment and Fitness
The President is also considering merging the Fisheries Ministry with the Agriculture and Animal Welfare portfolio, a move that would further reduce the number of standalone ministries. The Defence Ministry remains without an appointed minister for now.
The restructuring extends beyond cabinet positions. Political appointees and senior management across state‑owned enterprises are also being reviewed. Several managing directors were dismissed last week, and further changes are expected as part of the government’s assessment of institutional performance.
For the Maldives, the shift to a smaller cabinet signals a move toward tighter administrative control and clearer lines of responsibility. Consolidated ministries are expected to reduce duplication, while the appointment of new ministers brings fresh leadership into sectors the government considers central to its next phase of policy delivery.
Officials close to the administration say the President views the restructuring as essential to restoring momentum after the local council elections. The government has said the changes reflect its commitment to respond to the message delivered by voters and to strengthen public trust in governance and state institutions.
