Ahmed Hassan Diria

Who was Ahmed Hassan Diria?

Ahmed Hassan Diria was a Tanzanian politician and diplomat. He was born in Raha Leo, Zanzibar and was educated in local primary and secondary schools. He started working in government service in 1954, taking a break from 1958 to 1961 to be educated at the College of Philosophy in Ghana. Following the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, he was appointed the area commissioner for Pemba. He remained in this position until 1965, when he joined the Tanzanian foreign service. He remained in it until 1989, serving as ambassador at various times to Zaire, Egypt, India and other countries.

In 1989 he joined the Tanzanian cabinet, serving as minister of information and broadcasting from 1989 to 1994, and foreign minister from 1990 to 1993. Meanwhile he was elected to Parliament from Raha Leo and served in Parliament until his death. He died in a hospital in Germany.