Tanzania’s First Gentleman Hafidh Ameir Hassan dies

Husband of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Hafidh Ameir Hassan has died while undergoing treatment at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar.

According to the new Vice-president Deogratius Ndejembi, the First Gentleman had been suffering from a heart condition.

Ndejembi added that Ameir passed on at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Monday, with funeral arrangements now under way in Kizimkazi, a prominent village on the country’s island of Zanzibar.

Ameir rarely appeared in public alongside the president, but would only be seen with her at official events. They had four children – three sons and a daughter.

The daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is also a politician who currently serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives in the National Assembly.

Ameir was an agricultural academic who largely kept a low public profile. He became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman after President Hassan took office in 2021.

Tributes are pouring in for a man, who married president Suluhu in 1978.

“Kenya stands with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in this moment of grief. May Almighty God comfort President Samia and her family, give them strength through this difficult time, and grant Hafidh Ameir Hassan eternal rest,” President William Ruto wrote on X social media platform.

Somalia’s president has Hassan Mohamud has alsoI extended his condolences to Her Excellency, President of Tanzania, on the passing of her husbans saying, “Somalia stands with her family and the people of Tanzania in this time of grief. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaws.”