Hafidh Ameir Hassan, the husband of
Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, died on Monday morning while receiving treatment for heart condition, according to Tanzania’s Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi and multiple news reports.
Ndejembi said Ameir died at about 8 a.m. at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar. The vice-president announced the death in a national address and said funeral arrangements were under way in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Mr Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan,” Ndejembi said, as quoted by The Citizen.
The reports identified a heart condition or heart-related illness as the reason Ameir had been receiving treatment. No more specific medical diagnosis was given in the official account cited by those reports.
Regional condolences
Kenyan President William Ruto was among the first African leaders to publicly offer condolences.
In a message posted Monday, Ruto said he was speaking on behalf of Kenya’s government and people, the First Lady, his family and himself.
He described Ameir as President Samia’s “lifelong companion,” a beloved father and a.“distinguished son” of Tanzania.
“Kenya stands with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in this moment of grief,” Ruto said, praying that God would comfort President Samia and her family and grant Ameir eternal rest.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, also conveyed condolences to President Samia, her family and the Tanzanian people, according to a statement released Monday.
Youssouf expressed sympathy and prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased, ending with the Islamic condolence phrase with “Inalilahi wainailehi rajiun.”
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC also expressed condolences to President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania, according to the BBC’s account of
the early tributes.
As of publication, no additional condolence messages from African
heads of state could be independently verified from accessible primary sources beyond those cited here.
A private figure in public life
Ameir, an agricultural academic and former agriculture officer, maintained a low public profile despite his position as Tanzania’s first First Gentleman.
He married Samia in 1978, and the couple had four children, three sons and a daughter, according to the BBC. He assumed the ceremonial distinction of First Gentleman when Samia became president in 2021.
Public appearances alongside the president were relatively infrequent, reinforcing his reputation as a private figure who remained largely outside the political spotlight.
President Samia had not issued a public statement on her husband’s death at the time of the BBC’s initial report. The announcement placed Tanzania in a period of national mourning as condolences began arriving from across the region.
