President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s First Gentleman Dies

On Monday, September 7, 2026, Tanzania’s Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi announced that Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, died at approximately 8 a.m. while receiving treatment for a heart condition at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar. He will be buried in the family’s home village of Kizimkazi on Zanzibar.

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Hafidh Ameir Hassan married Samia Suluhu Hassan in 1978 and worked as an agricultural scholar and retired officer. When Samia became president in March 2021, he became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman, a ceremonial role without an executive portfolio. The couple have four children, including daughter Wanu Hafidh Ameir, a Zanzibar MP.

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• Time of death: reported as 8 a.m. (local).

Tanzania President Samia’s Husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan Dies

• Hospital: most sources cite Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.

Samia Suluhu's Husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan Dies in Zanzibar

• Age: reports vary between 73 and 80.

Ruto mourns death of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu’s husband Hafidh Ameir

• Family: four children.

Tanzania Mourns Death of President Samia’s Husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan

Vice-President Ndejembi expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences on behalf of the government. Regional leaders responded quickly: Kenya’s President William Ruto, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf all issued statements of sympathy. Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema and former Senegalese President Macky Sall also joined the chorus of mourning.

African leaders rally behind Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu after husband’s death

• “It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Honorable Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan,” — Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s husband dies

• “I have received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of Her Excellency Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania,” — President William Ruto

Tanzania in mourning as President Samia’s husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan dies at 80 after heart condition

• “My sincere condolences to my sister, President Samia Suluhu, her family, and the people of Tanzania on the passing of H.E. Hafidh Ameir Hassan,” — Paul Kagame

African leaders rally behind Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu after husband’s death

• Age discrepancy: sources list ages from 73 to 80; no official confirmation.

Tanzania President Samia’s Husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan Dies

• Hospital identification: a minority of reports use alternative names, but the majority name Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.

Samia Suluhu's Husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan Dies in Zanzibar

• Burial details: exact ceremony time has not been released.

Tanzania First Gentleman Hafidh Ameir Hassan Dies In Zanzibar

• Health details: only a “heart condition” has been disclosed.

Tanzania First Gentleman Hafidh Ameir Hassan, Husband Of President Suluhu, Dies

Hafidh Ameir Hassan’s death marks the loss of Tanzania’s first First Gentleman, a symbolic figure linked to the nation’s transition to its first female president. The regional outpouring of condolences highlights the close diplomatic ties within the East African Community and the African Union, and underscores the limited public profile of presidential spouses in Tanzania.

Tanzania’s first gentleman Hafidh Ameir Hassan dies while receiving treatment in Zanzibar