His Excellency Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef
Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Republic of Türkiye
Biography
His Excellency Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef was appointed by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives as the Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Republic of Türkiye on 3 July 2024. As the first resident Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Ambassador Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, on 29 August 2024.
Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, he was the Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force. He has held various appointments at Maldives National Defence Force during his illustrious 39 years of professional career.
Born on the 17th of April 1964, General Abdul Raheem graduated from Majeediyya School prior to his enlistment in the MNDF in 1985. He had been a Prefect, a House Captain at the School in addition to being a Regimental Sergeant Major of the School Cadet Corps.
During the initial days of his military service, the General served as a telephone operator. Not long afterwards, his potential was noted, and he was given the opportunity to attend a radio repair course in the United States, in which he attained first place.
Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem got inducted to the ranks of the “Wall of Fame” as the Graduate of The Defence Service Command and Staff College, Sri Lanka 2024.
Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem has several prestigious appointments in the past. He was the Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Chief of Defence Force, and Director General of Defence Intelligence (DGDI). He has commanded the Special Protection Group, MNDF Southern Area, the Military Police, the Media and Publishing Service, the Ordnance Service and the Communication Electronics and Information Technology Service. He has also served as the Acting Commandant of Service Corps, Deputy Director General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Principal Director of C4 Systems and Civil Military Relations (PD J6) at the Integrated Headquarters MNDF. His other appointments include being the Spokesperson for Maldives National Defence Force, Vice President Shooting Association, Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Scholarship Board, MNDF Welfare Governing Board, Grievance Board and Promotion Board. Member of the Disciplinary Committee, and the first Chairperson of NCO’s Majlis.
In recognition of his many years of continuing and dedicated service, he has been decorated many times. As such, he has been honored with the Presidential Medal, National Service Award for the Public Service, Distinguished Service Medal, Dedicated Service Medal, Defence Force Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 3rd November Medal, Centenary Medal, Long Service Medal, SAARC Medal, Minivan 50 Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Ribbon for Skill, Achievement Ribbon, Special Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, Defence Force Service Ribbon, Dedicated Service Ribbon, Long Service Ribbon and Presidential Ribbon.
Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem is blessed with a son.
