Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has begun a 90-day leave to mourn her husband Hafidh Ameir Hassan, who died on Monday at the age of 80.
President Samia started observing her ritual as widow the same day after her husband died of a heart condition at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital and was buried at the family home in Kizimkazi, South Unguja hours later in accordance with Muslim tradition.
According to Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka, Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi and Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba are entrusted with government business while she takes a three-month break.
”She remains president. This is a mourning leave, not a resignation” Kusiluka explained.
Hafidh Ameir Hassan, an agricultural academic married then Samia Suluhu in 1978 with whom he had four children.
Despite being First Gentleman since Samia assumed office in 2021, Ameir deliberately stayed out of the limelight, rarely appearing in public during this period.
WN/as/APA