The BBC on Monday, 7 September, 2026 reported that Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lost her husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan. He died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar.
According to BBC report, Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi announced Ameir’s death, saying he had been suffering from a heart condition.
Ndejembi said Ameir died at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Monday, 7 september, 2026 at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar.
He added that funeral arrangements were underway in Kizimkazi, a village on the country’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar.
Ameir was an agricultural academic who largely maintained a low public profile. He became Tanzania’s maiden First Gentleman after President Samia assumed office in 2021.
Announcing his death, Ndejembi extended his condolences to President Samia, as well as Ameir’s family and friends, while leading tributes to the late academic.Download Interactive Maps
Kenyan President William Ruto said he received the news of his passing with “deep sorrow”.
“President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” he wrote on social media.
The First Gentleman rarely appeared in public alongside the president. He was only occasionally seen with her at official events.
He married Samia in 1978, before she entered national politics. The couple had four children – three sons and a daughter – together.Follow Federal Policy
Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is also a politician who currently serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives in the National Assembly.
