President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has appointed Major General Abdulla Shamaal as the Chief of Defence Force. The appointment was made at state minister level.
Further, President Solih also appointed Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef as the Vice Chief of Defence Force. The appointment was made at deputy minister level.
Brigadier General Abdulla Shamaal was dismissed from Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in 2013, amid allegations he had administered division among military personal. However, prior to his appointment as the Chief of Defence Force, the High Court had ruled he was dismissed from military services illegally.
Prior to the appointments, President Solih had dismissed Major General Ahmed Shiyam from the post of Chief of Defence Force and Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid from the post of Vice Chief of Defence Force.