Tanzania’s Vice President Resigns in Unprecedented Move Less Than a Year After Taking Office

Tanzania’s Vice President Emmanuel John Nchimbi has announced his resignation, effective September 4, 2026, marking the first time in the country’s history that a vice president has stepped down from office. The decision comes less than 10 months after he was sworn in alongside President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the disputed October 2025 election.

Nchimbi, 54, shared his resignation letter on his Instagram account, saying he had become convinced that President Hassan desired a change in deputy. “I have become convinced, without doubt, that the president wants changes, and I have therefore decided to fulfil my promise,” he wrote, referring to a pledge he made to Samia in August 2025 that he would step aside if she ever wanted a different vice president. His resignation takes effect 295 days after he assumed office on November 3, 2025. He cited Article 50(2)(c) and Article 149(2) of Tanzania’s constitution as the basis for his departure and announced his retirement from public service and active politics.

The resignation follows weeks of speculation about a rift between Nchimbi and President Hassan, fueled by several controversial public statements he made in recent months. On July 24, 2026, speaking at the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition General Assembly in Dar es Salaam, Nchimbi urged Tanzanians to “fight for a new constitution,” arguing there was a genuine opportunity to secure one before 2030. He described a new constitution as the foundation for wider governance reforms, stronger protection of citizens’ rights, and a way to address injustice while strengthening human rights, good governance and democracy. He also said political disagreement should not automatically be interpreted as betrayal, adding: “We can reach a point where we do not agree and have completely different views on how to lead the country or manage affairs, but that is not a sin and should not be treated as betrayal.”

READ MORE: Zambia Shuts Down All Courts to Block Opposition Election Challenge

The remarks drew sharp criticism from some within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, who argued that the party already had an established process on constitutional reform and that the issue was included in its election manifesto. On February 6, 2026, Nchimbi had also drawn attention when he urged religious leaders and Tanzanians to pray for President Hassan, asking them to pray that God would give her wisdom, protect her from people who could mislead her, and “shut the gates of State House to wrongdoers.”

Nchimbi was Samia’s running mate in the October 29, 2025 presidential election, which the pair won with 98 per cent of the vote. However, the election was marred by deadly violence, sparked by the exclusion of leading opposition candidates. A government-appointed commission of inquiry confirmed that at least 518 people were killed in the post-election unrest, with the majority succumbing to gunshot wounds. The commission found that all but 16 of the deceased were civilians, with the remainder belonging to security forces. Opposition parties and human rights groups accused security forces of unleashing a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters.

President Hassan accepted Nchimbi’s resignation on August 25, the same day it was submitted. The Directorate of Presidential Communications confirmed that constitutional procedures to appoint a successor will be undertaken. Nchimbi, who previously served as secretary-general of CCM and held several senior government positions including Minister of Information and Home Affairs, thanked the president and the party for their trust and expressed gratitude to Tanzanians for their cooperation during his time in public service. He said he would continue to serve as a “good citizen of Tanzania.” The resignation has sparked debate among political analysts, with some suggesting it points to deeper differences within the country’s political establishment and raises questions about the stability of the ruling party ahead of future elections.

About The Author

West Africa Weekly

author

See author's posts