In brief
Tanzania’s First Gentleman, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, died today during treatment at an emergency hospital in Zanzibar after suffering a heart condition. Vice‑President Deogratius Ndejembi announced the death and confirmed funeral arrangements in Kizimkazi. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has been in office since 2021, is grieving a lifelong companion and father of four. The death marks the first time a First Gentleman has passed away while serving, prompting condolences from leaders across Africa.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s husband dies
The husband of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar.
Vice‑President Deogratius Ndejembi, who made the official announcement, said Ameir had been suffering from a heart condition and died at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Monday at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are underway in Kizimkazi, a village on the semi‑autonomous island of Zanzibar, and the vice‑president led tributes and conveyed his condolences to President Samia, as well as to Ameir’s family and friends.
President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son, the Kenyan President William Ruto said in a post on social media.
Ameir was an agricultural academic who largely kept a low public profile. He became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman after President Samia took office in 2021. The First Gentleman rarely appeared in public alongside the president; he was only occasionally seen with her at official events.
He married Samia in 1978, before she entered national politics. The couple had four children – three sons and a daughter – together. Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is also a politician who currently serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives in the National Assembly.
