President Muizzu Restructures Cabinet, Unveils New 15-Minister Team

In a significant move to realign his administration, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has undertaken a major cabinet reshuffle, formally reducing the number of cabinet ministers to 15. 

The restructuring, widely seen as a direct response to the government’s recent defeat in the local council elections, was marked by a ceremony at the President’s Office earlier Tuesday where 12 new ministers received their letters of appointment.

The newly appointed ministers, who were sworn in by Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee Mohamed, bring a streamlined and consolidated structure to the government. 

Key appointments include Moosa Zameer taking the helm at the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, Ali Ihusaan leading the newly combined Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology, and Iruthisham Adam assuming the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

The new cabinet also features Dr Ismail Shafeeu overseeing Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, and Mohamed Saeed steering Economic Development, Transport and Trade.

This new, more compact cabinet of 15 members, which includes the Attorney General Ahmed Usham and two other portfolios, was made possible by the acceptance of resignations from ten sitting ministers. 

Their departures, tendered earlier Tuesday, were accepted by the President to allow him to implement the positive Government reforms he envisions in keeping with the aspirations of the people.

The resigning ministers, whose service was acknowledged with gratitude by the President, include several high-profile figures—Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon (Defence), Dr Abdulla Khaleel (Foreign Affairs), Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim (Health), and Thoriq Ibrahim (Tourism and Environment), among others.

This sweeping overhaul extends beyond the cabinet, following a week that saw the resignation and dismissal of several managing directors of state-owned companies. 

President Muizzu had previously assured the public of impending administrative changes following the government’s poor performance in the 4 April local council elections, a promise that has now been decisively actioned with this comprehensive reset of his governing team.