Mariya Ahmed Didi

Her Excellency
Mariya Didi
މާރިޔާ ދީދީ
Minister of Defence of Maldives
In office
17 November 2018 – 17 November 2023[1]
PresidentIbrahim Mohamed Solih
Preceded byAdam Shareef
Succeeded byMohamed Ghassan Maumoon
Personal details
Born (1962-08-18) August 18, 1962 (age 62)
NationalityMaldivian
Political partyMaldivian Democratic Party
Children1 daughter, 2 sons

Mariya Didi (Maldivian:މާރިޔާ ދީދީ; born August 18, 1962) is a Maldivian barrister and politician who served as the Minister of Defense of the Maldives.[2] After being the campaign manager[3] for president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the 2018 elections, she was appointed the nation's first-ever female Minister of Defence.[2]

Mariya Didi, in her capacity as Minister of Defence, oversees a total of 8 critical institutions, namely Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC),[4] National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),[5] Maldives Customs Service,[6] Maldives Immigration,[7] Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM),[8] Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Anti-TIP),[9] and Maldives Hydrographic Service.[10]

Mariya Didi instituted the tradition of engaging regularly with the MNDF leadership and defence sector agencies through weekly plenary meetings and multi-agency sit-downs, where the latest information and updates are exchanged in cross-sector settings.

  1. ^ "Rajnath congratulates Maumoon on appointment as Maldives Defence Minister". The Print. 17 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Minister of Defence Uza. Mariya Ahmed Didi - MNDF". mndf.gov.mv. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  3. ^ "Minister Mariya appointed as Pres Solih's campaign spokesperson". Avas. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  4. ^ "A special session of Counter Terrorism Steering Committee and Counter Radicalisation committee held". Nahonal Counter Terrorism Centre. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Disaster risk mitigation, adaptation and resilience are directly linked to the Government's overall vision for the defence of Maldives – Minister Mariya". gov.mv. Ministry of Defense. 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  6. ^ Mohamed, Naizak (17 September 2021). "Mariya: Work done by Customs is integral to national security". Sun. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Maldives Immigration hosted the first national level border security symposium". Maldives Immigration. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Minister: AVSECOM's biggest challenge – having to operate under civil service". Sun. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Ministry of Defence issues statement on World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2021". gov.mv. Ministry of Defence. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  10. ^ "3rd Joint Hydrographic Survey in Maldives: 19 Jan – 26 Feb 2023". Embassy / High Commission / Consulate General of India. Retrieved 23 December 2023.