The husband of Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar.
Hafidh Ameir Hassan passed away at 08:00 local time on Monday at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital. Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi made the official announcement, confirming that Ameir had been suffering from a heart condition. Funeral arrangements are currently underway in Kizimkazi, a quiet coastal village on the semi-autonomous island.
Ameir was an agricultural academic who largely kept a low public profile throughout his life. However, he made history by becoming Tanzania’s first “First Gentleman” when President Samia took office in 2021, a rare and notable position in African politics.
He married Samia in 1978, long before she ever entered the national political spotlight. Together, they built a family of four children, three sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, has followed in her mother’s footsteps and currently serves as a politician in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives.
Tributes have poured in from across the region following the news. Kenyan President William Ruto led the condolences, writing on social media, “President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son.”
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Unlike many political spouses who thrive in the media, Ameir rarely appeared in the spotlight. He was only occasionally seen alongside the president at official state events, choosing instead to offer his support and stability from behind the scenes.
As the nation prepares to lay him to rest, the focus is not on political maneuvering, but on a profound personal loss. For President Samia, the country’s first female leader, the passing of the man who stood by her for over four decades marks the end of a quiet, steadfast chapter. He helped build the foundation of her life long before she ever stepped into the presidential palace, and his legacy will remain woven into the history of Tanzania.
Promise Idoko is Junior Reporter working with moderncrux He covers global politics and international affairs. Based in Nigeria,
