DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — In a statement released Monday, Tanzanian Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi confirmed the passing of Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who died while receiving medical care for a chronic heart condition at a hospital in Zanzibar.
Hafidh assumed the role of Tanzania’s first gentleman in 2021, when Samia stepped into the presidency following the sudden death of former President John Magufuli. She made history as the East African nation’s first female head of state, marking a milestone in Tanzania’s political landscape.
According to Vice President Ndejembi, funeral preparations are currently underway to lay Hafidh to rest in his ancestral home of Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago that forms part of the United Republic of Tanzania. The couple, who were married for decades, share four children: three sons and one daughter, who currently serves as a member of Tanzania’s national legislature.
President Samia is currently serving her first full five-year term after winning the 2025 presidential election, a poll that has drawn international controversy over its fairness. The two main opposition political parties were blocked from fielding candidates, allowing Samia to secure a landslide victory with more than 97% of the reported vote.
News of Hafidh’s death has drawn an outpouring of condolences from regional leaders. Kenyan President William Ruto released a statement mourning the loss on behalf of Kenya’s government and people, writing, “President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son.” Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye also extended his sympathies to President Hassan, her family, and the entire people of Tanzania in the wake of the loss.