The husband of Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, has died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar.
Vice‑President Deogratius Ndejembi, who made the official announcement, confirmed that Mr. Ameir had been suffering from a heart condition. He died at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) Monday at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.
Ndejembi added that funeral arrangements are underway in Kizimkazi, a village on the semi‑autonomous island of Zanzibar.
Hafidh 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.
Kenyan President William Ruto, reacting on social media, wrote: "President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son," saying he received the news with "deep sorrow".
The First Gentleman rarely appeared publicly with the president, and he was only occasionally seen together at official events. He 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, is also a politician who currently serves in Zanzibar's House of Representatives in the National Assembly.
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