On Tuesday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu executed the largest restructuring of his administration thus far, consolidating various ministries and decreasing the cabinet size from 20 to 15.

Upon taking office on November 17, 2023, the President formed the largest cabinet in Maldivian history, consisting of 22 ministers. In the last two years, portfolios have undergone constant restructuring, and Tuesday's reshuffle signifies another significant reorganization.

Ten ministers step down.

On Tuesday, a total of 10 ministers unexpectedly stepped down:

Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon – Secretary of Defense

Dr. Abdulla Khaleel – Secretary of Foreign Affairs

Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim – Health Minister

Thoriq Ibrahim – Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs

Dr. Aishath Shiham – Minister for Social and Family Growth

Adam Naseer Ibrahim – Secretary of Culture and Language

Mariya Maryam – Agriculture Minister

Ibrahim Waheed – Youth Minister

Adam Shareef Umar – Secretary of Urban Development and Local Administration

Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed – Minister of Tertiary Education

Newly appointed ministers take their oaths.

After the resignations, the President named new ministers and redistributed portfolios. The ministers who took their oaths on Tuesday evening are:

Moosa Zameer – Minister of Finance and Public Holdings

Ali Ihusaan – Secretary of Homeland Safety, Employment, and Technology

Dr. Iruthisham Adam – Foreign Affairs Minister

Ismail Shafeeu – Minister for Education, Advanced Learning and Skills Enhancement

Geela Ali – Minister for Health, Families, and Welfare

Mohamed Saeed – Minister of Trade, Transport, and Economic Development

Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed – Minister of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Trusts

Mohamed Ameen – Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation

Abdulla Rafiu – Minister of Youth Development, Athletics and Wellness

Heena Waleed – Secretary of Arts, Culture, and Heritage

Dr. Abdulla Muthalib – Minister for Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Planning

Ali Shareef – Secretary for Climate Change, Environment, and Energy

The President’s Office stated that the cabinet will still comprise Attorney General Ahmed Usham along with two additional ministers who were not involved in Tuesday’s reshuffle.

Shuffled once more

The reorganization led to major structural adjustments throughout the government. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education were combined to create one portfolio that oversees education, higher education, and skills development. Labour, formerly part of Higher Education, was moved to the newly enhanced Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology.

The previous Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation was divided, with transport responsibilities transferred to the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, whereas civil aviation was combined with tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Furthermore, the Ministry of Social and Family Development was completely dissolved, and its duties were allocated to various other ministries.

Despite the extensive changes, no new appointments occurred in the Local Government Ministry or the Defence Ministry, resulting in both departments being temporarily without ministers.

To mention:

The significant alterations occurred just days following the April 4 parliamentary elections, which many anticipated would bolster the government but instead led to a substantial loss. The result heightened public and political demands for a cabinet reshuffle.

The President's Office stated that the reorganization is intended to “enhance government efficiency” and “boost service provision,” whereas detractors and analysts have associated the changes with the election outcomes and internal calls for responsibility.