Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef
Lieutenant General (Retired) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef is the Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Republic of Türkiye and the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Russian Federation. He was appointed as Ambassador to Türkiye by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, on 3 July 2024, and presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, on 29 August 2024. He was later appointed as Non-Resident Ambassador to the Russian Federation in March 2025 and presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, on 15 January 2026.
Prior to his diplomatic appointment, Ambassador Abdul Raheem had a distinguished 39-year career in the Maldives National Defence Force, where he held several senior leadership positions, including Chief of Defence Force, Vice Chief of Defence Force, and Director General of Defence Intelligence. He also served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, further strengthening his experience at the intersection of diplomacy, defence, and national security.
Throughout his career, he has undertaken key responsibilities in defence leadership, intelligence, communications systems, civil-military cooperation, institutional governance, public affairs, crisis management, and strategic security. He has also contributed to various advisory, promotion, welfare, disciplinary, military justice, and governance boards within the Maldives National Defence Force.
Ambassador Abdul Raheem is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Sri Lanka and has completed numerous professional training programmes in the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the United States, and the Maldives. His areas of training include defence management, security cooperation, intelligence, communication technologies, humanitarian law, disaster management, and strategic leadership. He has also represented the Maldives in a wide range of national and international seminars, conferences, and military exercises.
In recognition of his distinguished service, he has been awarded numerous medals and honours, including the Presidential Medal, National Service Award for the Public Service, Distinguished Service Medal, Dedicated Service Medal, Defence Force Service Medal, Long Service Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal.
With a strong interest in international relations, defence diplomacy, strategic studies, and defence technology, Ambassador Abdul Raheem attaches great importance to dialogue, negotiation, peace, and stability. He is fluent in Dhivehi and English.