Tanzania's VP expelled from ruling party for indiscipline and his successor named
Nchimbi announced his resignation earlier this week after reportedly falling out with President Samia.
Tanzania's ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has expelled Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi due to indiscipline, following his resignation earlier this week after serving 10 months in the role. Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi has been nominated as his successor.
Nchimbi, 54, had recently made contentious statements, including advocating for Tanzanians to "fight for a new constitution," which suggested a potential disagreement with President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He had been President Samia's running mate in the disputed presidential election last October, an event that led to hundreds of deaths in post-election unrest.
Deogratius Ndejembi, 43, currently the Energy Minister, has been put forward as Nchimbi's replacement. His nomination will now go before parliament for approval. These decisions were made during an extraordinary meeting of the CCM, presided over by President Samia.
The party did not elaborate on the specific allegations of indiscipline against Nchimbi, whose resignation is effective at the end of next week. Nchimbi, who posted his brief resignation letter on Instagram on Tuesday morning, is the first vice-president in Tanzania's history to step down. He stated his intention to retire from public life, having "become convinced, without doubt, that the president wants changes."
Samia and Nchimbi were sworn into office last November after securing 98% of the vote. The main opposition party, Chadema, boycotted the election, demanding electoral reforms as a prerequisite for participation. An official inquiry reported that violent protests following the vote resulted in the deaths of at least 500 people. Opposition parties and human rights organizations accused security forces of a brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.