AU Mourns As Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Loses Husband

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lost her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, who died on Monday while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar.

The death of Tanzania’s First Gentleman was announced by Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi, according to the BBC.

Ndejembi said Ameir died at about 8 am local time at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar, after battling a heart condition.

He added that funeral arrangements were being made in Kizimkazi, a village in Zanzibar.

Ameir, an agricultural academic, maintained a relatively private life and made few public appearances alongside his wife at official functions.

He became Tanzania’s first first gentleman after Samia assumed the presidency in March 2021.

The couple married in 1978, before Samia entered national politics, and had four children — three sons and a daughter.

Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is a politician and member of Zanzibar’s House of Representatives.

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Following the announcement, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his condolences to President Samia and her family.

In a message posted on X, Ruto described Ameir’s death as a painful loss to the president, her family and Tanzania.

“President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” Ruto said.

He added that Kenya stood with Tanzania during the period of mourning and prayed for strength and comfort for the bereaved family.

The African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, also conveyed his condolences to President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania.

In a statement published on the AU website on Monday, Youssouf expressed “deepest condolences” over Ameir’s passing and wished the president and her family strength, courage and solace during the difficult period.

The AU Commission chairperson also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased.

“Inalilahi wainailehi rajiun,” the statement concluded.