Tanzania’s First Gentleman, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, has died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar after suffering from a heart condition.
Hassan died at 8am local time on Monday at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital, Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi announced, as condolences poured in for President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her family.
Funeral arrangements are under way in Kizimkazi, his home village on the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar.
Hassan, an agricultural academic, largely maintained a low public profile despite becoming Tanzania’s first First Gentleman after his wife assumed the presidency in 2021.
Related Stories
The couple married in 1978, before Samia entered national politics, and were married for nearly five decades. They had four children — three sons and a daughter.
Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, has followed her mother into politics and serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives.
News of Hassan’s death drew tributes from across the region, including Kenyan President William Ruto, who expressed his “deep sorrow” over the loss.
Ruto said President Hassan had lost a lifelong companion, while Tanzania had lost what he described as a “distinguished son”.
Hassan’s death comes as President Samia continues to lead Tanzania, having become the country’s first female president following the death of then-President John Magufuli in March 2021.
Leave Comments