Tanzania’s Vice President Dr. Emmanuel John Nchimbi has announced his resignation from both office and active politics. The decision will take effect on September 4, 2026.
In a statement released August 25 by the Office of the Vice President in Dodoma, Nchimbi formally informed President Samia Suluhu Hassan of his plan to exit public service.
He grounded the move in the Tanzanian Constitution, specifically Article 50(2)(c) together with Article 149(2). Those provisions allow the President to appoint a new Vice President without calling a fresh election.
Nchimbi said the resignation fulfills a personal pledge he made to President Hassan about a year ago to serve with “utter faithfulness” and to vacate the role whenever the Head of State required it.
“I am fully satisfied, without any doubt, that Her Excellency the President desires change, and thus I have decided to fulfil my promise,” he wrote in the notice.
He expressed gratitude to President Hassan and to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party for the trust placed in him. He added that while he is leaving active politics, he intends to keep serving Tanzania as a patriotic citizen.
A long path through CCM and government
Born December 24, 1971 in Mbeya Region, Nchimbi entered politics through CCM’s youth wing, UVCCM, where he became chairman in 1998 while working at the National Environment Management Council.
He was first elected to Parliament in 2005 as MP for Songea Town, winning with 67.6 percent of the vote. President Jakaya Kikwete then appointed him Deputy Minister for Information, Culture and Sports in 2006.
Over the years he rotated through several portfolios: Deputy Minister for Labour, Employment and Youth Development, Deputy Minister for Defence and National Service, Minister for Information, Culture and Sports, and Minister for Home Affairs from May 2012 to December 2013.
He retained his Songea seat in the 2010 General Election, defeating his CHADEMA challenger with 59.9 percent.
Alongside his political work, Nchimbi earned an MBA in Banking and Finance and later a PhD from Mzumbe University.
President Hassan is now expected to name a new Vice President under the constitutional clauses cited in Nchimbi’s letter.
