The husband of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, has passed away while receiving medical treatment in a Zanzibar hospital.

In an official statement, Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi confirmed that Hafidh was battling a heart condition at the time of his death.

He shared that arrangements for the funeral are currently being organized in Kizimkazi, a village on Zanzibar’s semi-autonomous island.

Hafidh Ameir Hassan, an agricultural academic, maintained a relatively low profile during his time as the country’s first First Gentleman.

He assumed the role when President Samia took office in 2021.

He died at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Monday at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.

Vice President Ndejembi expressed deep condolences to Samia, as well as to Hafidh’s family and friends.

Known for his privacy, the First Gentleman was rarely seen at public events alongside the president.

The couple married in 1978, prior to Samia’s entry into national politics, and they had four children together, three sons and a daughter.

Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is currently a politician serving in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives within the National Assembly.