ZANZIBAR, Jan. 27 -- PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan said she chose to celebrate her birthday by planting trees, a gesture she sees as fulfilling her duty to protect the planet and leave a legacy for future generations.

The statement was made by President Samia on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during her birthday celebrations at Bungi Kilimo Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, an event that included tree planting and cake cutting.

“We inherited a rich natural environment; we inherited a country that was not so degraded. We inherited many fruit trees planted in farms and others growing freely,” President Samia said.

She added, “But today, if our children want to eat fruits, they have to buy them in the market. We used to walk through the ...