Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lost her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, who died on Monday, September 7, while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar.
The death was announced by Tanzania’s Vice President, Deogratius Ndejembi, who said the former First Gentleman died at 8:00am local time at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.
Ndejembi disclosed that Hafidh had been battling a heart condition, adding that funeral arrangements were already underway in Kizimkazi, a village on Zanzibar, Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island.
Hafidh, an agricultural academic, largely maintained a low public profile despite his wife’s rise to the highest political office in Tanzania.
He became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman in 2021 when Samia assumed the presidency following the death of President John Magufuli.
Hafidh married Samia in 1978, before she entered national politics, and the couple had four children — three sons and a daughter.
Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, followed her mother into politics and currently serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives in the National Assembly.
News of Hafidh’s death has triggered condolences across East Africa, with Kenyan President William Ruto expressing sorrow on behalf of his government and people.
“President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” Ruto said in his condolence message.
Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye also conveyed his condolences to President Samia and the people of Tanzania over the loss.
The death of Hafidh comes as a major personal loss to President Samia, who has led Tanzania since 2021 and remains one of East Africa’s most prominent political figures.
