Mariya Appointed Ambassador-at-Large After Cabinet Resignation

Former Agriculture Minister Mariyam (Mariya) has been appointed Ambassador-at-Large, months after resigning from the Cabinet amid a government reshuffle.

Mariya was appointed to the position on 3 September. It remains unclear which country or countries she will be assigned to represent in the role.

An Ambassador-at-Large is generally appointed to undertake diplomatic duties without being permanently accredited to a specific country, although the details of Mariya’s new assignment have not been officially announced.

Mariya was initially appointed Minister of Higher Education under the current administration. In December 2024, she was appointed Minister of Agriculture as part of a restructuring of government ministries.

She resigned as Agriculture Minister following the government’s performance in the Local Council Elections and referendum held in April, as part of changes announced by the administration to reform government operations.

Mariya had not held another government position since her resignation. Several other officials who left their posts during the same period have since been appointed to diplomatic positions. 

Former Minister of Cities and Local Governments Adam Shareef has been appointed Ambassador to Qatar, while former Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has been appointed Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Former Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has also been appointed Principal Secretary to the President on Policy and Manifesto.