Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lost her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, who died on Monday while receiving treatment at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar.
The death of Tanzania’s First Gentleman was officially announced by Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi, who said Ameir had been suffering from a heart condition before his death.
Ndejembi said Ameir died at about 8am local time on Monday at the hospital in Zanzibar. He added that funeral arrangements were already underway in Kizimkazi, a village on the island.
The announcement has drawn condolences from political leaders and institutions across East Africa and the wider African continent, as tributes continue to pour in for the late First Gentleman.
Ameir, an agricultural academic, largely stayed away from the public spotlight and rarely accompanied his wife at official engagements.
He became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman after Samia assumed the presidency in March 2021, following the death of former President John Magufuli.
Despite his position as the President’s husband, Ameir maintained a relatively private life and was not frequently seen at major public functions alongside Samia.
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The couple married in 1978, before Samia began her political career, and remained married for decades. They had four children — three sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is a politician and serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his condolences to Samia and her family in a message posted on X on Monday.
Ruto described Ameir’s death as deeply sorrowful, saying President Samia had lost a lifelong companion, while their children had lost a beloved father.
He also said Kenya stood with Tanzania during the period of mourning and prayed for comfort and strength for the bereaved family. Ruto further prayed that God would comfort Samia and her family and grant the deceased eternal rest.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, also expressed condolences to President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania.
In a statement published on the AU website on Monday, September 7, Youssouf extended his sympathy to the President and her family, wishing them strength, courage and solace during the difficult period.
The AU Commission Chairperson also prayed for the peaceful repose of Ameir’s soul and offered his condolences to the people of Tanzania following the death of the First Gentleman. He concluded his message with the Islamic expression, “Inalilahi wainailehi rajiun.”
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