Tanzanian President Samia' Suluhu's Husband Dies

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 of Ameir's death - said he had been suffering from a heart condition.

Ndejembi added that funeral arrangements are under way in Kizimkazi, a village on the country's semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar.

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.

He said arrangements were being made for his burial in the family’s native Zanzibar, a semiautonomous archipelago that is part of Tanzania.

In his announcement, Ndejembi said Ameir died at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Monday at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.

The vice-president led tributes as he conveyed his condolences to Samia, as well as Ameir's family and friends.

The couple had four children, three sons and a daughter who is a lawmaker.

According to reports from Tanzania, the burial was scheduled for 4pm local time in Kizimkazi, the family’s home area in southern Zanzibar.

President William Ruto condoled with Tanzanian President Samia following the death of her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan.

In a message on Monday, Ruto expressed his condolences to President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania following the death of Hafidh.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Kenya, the First Lady, my family and on my own behalf, I convey our heartfelt condolences to President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania,” Ruto said.

Ruto described Hafidh as a lifelong companion to President Samia, a beloved father to their children and a distinguished son of Tanzania.

In his condolence message former President Uhuru Kenyatta said "It is with deep sadness that I express my heartfelt condolences to Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, on the passing of her beloved husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan. My family and I join the people of the United Republic of Tanzania in mourning this tragic loss. We pray that Almighty God grants President."