Tanzania Vice President Nchimbi Resigns, Says Samia ‘Wants a Change’

Tanzania’s Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi has announced his resignation and retirement from politics, saying he is convinced President Samia Suluhu Hassan wants a change in the country’s second-highest office.

Nchimbi announced his decision on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in a letter addressed to President Samia, saying his resignation will take effect on September 4.

His departure comes less than a year after taking office and follows months in which the vice president increasingly spoke publicly about transparency, justice, constitutional reform and the political consequences of Tanzania’s disputed 2025 General Election.

In his resignation letter, Nchimbi said he had decided to retire completely from politics and public service.

“Today, August 25, 2026, I have written to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, informing her that I have decided to retire from politics and public service,” Nchimbi said.

He cited Article 50(2)(c), read together with Article 149(2) of Tanzania’s Constitution, as the constitutional basis for leaving office.

Nchimbi then pointed to a promise he made to Samia on August 27, 2025, when he pledged to support her and the country faithfully and told her he would step aside whenever she felt she needed another vice president.

His explanation for acting on that promise is likely to attract particular political attention.

“I am convinced beyond doubt that Her Excellency the President desires a change, and therefore I have decided to fulfil my promise,” Nchimbi said.

He did not explain what led him to that conclusion or identify any specific disagreement with the president.

The resignation, however, follows weeks of public speculation about his position within the government and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

On August 19, Tanzania’s Information Services Department suspended Mwanahalisi newspaper for six months over a report published under a headline that translated as “Nchimbi refuses to resign.” Authorities said the newspaper had failed to meet requirements on accuracy, balance and verification.

Nchimbi had also taken increasingly noticeable positions on governance during his time as vice president.

In May, he warned that a lack of transparency and distortion of justice could cause unrest within institutions, arguing that fairness and openness were essential to maintaining trust.

More recently, Nchimbi publicly backed continued efforts towards a new constitution and urged civil society groups not to abandon the campaign.

He referred to recommendations by the commission chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, which investigated violence during and after Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 General Election.

The commission reported that at least 518 people died of unnatural causes during the election-related unrest, including deaths involving gunshot injuries. Its findings and recommendations have since become part of a wider national debate about accountability, political reform and Tanzania’s constitution.

Nchimbi argued that constitutional reform should be completed in time for future elections and encouraged groups advocating for a new constitution to continue their efforts.

His positions do not establish that disagreements over the 2025 election or constitutional reform caused his resignation. Nchimbi himself gave no such reason in his letter, instead saying he had concluded that Samia wanted a change and was honouring his earlier commitment to step aside.

His departure nevertheless comes at an unusually sensitive moment for Tanzania’s ruling establishment, with debates over the aftermath of the 2025 election, constitutional reform and political accountability continuing.

Nchimbi thanked Samia and CCM for placing their trust in him and also thanked Tanzanians for their support throughout his years in public service.

“I assure you that I will continue to be a good citizen of Tanzania,” he said.

His resignation will formally take effect on September 4, leaving President Samia to begin the constitutional process of filling the vice presidency.