Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party has expelled Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi for indiscipline, just days after he resigned from office, and has nominated Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi to take his place.
The decision was made at an extraordinary CCM meeting chaired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam. Nchimbi, 54, submitted his resignation on Instagram on Tuesday. It will take effect at the end of next week. In his letter he said he was stepping away from public life because he had “become convinced, without doubt, that the president wants changes.”
Party leaders did not give specifics on the indiscipline charges. The move follows several controversial public comments by Nchimbi in recent weeks, including a call for Tanzanians to “fight for a new constitution.” That has fueled speculation of a rift with President Samia.
Nchimbi was Samia’s running mate in last October’s presidential election. They were sworn in last November after official results showed them winning 98% of the vote. The poll was boycotted by the main opposition party, Chadema, which demanded electoral reforms first. Post-election protests turned violent, and an official inquiry reported at least 500 people killed. Opposition groups and rights organizations accused security forces of a harsh crackdown.
With Nchimbi’s exit, Tanzania has its first vice president to resign since independence six decades ago.
To fill the vacancy, President Samia’s party named Deogratius Ndejembi, 43, the current Energy Minister. His nomination will now go to parliament for approval.
Ndejembi will step into the role at a sensitive time for the government, as pressure continues over last year’s election and calls for constitutional and political reform.
