Lead image for Tanzania Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi quits.
Tanzania's Vice-President, Dr Emmanuel John Nchimbi, has resigned from office, bringing an unexpected turn to the country's political landscape. It came less than a year after he assumed the country's second-highest office.
Dr Nchimbi formally tendered his resignation to President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a letter dated Tuesday, August 25, 2026, according to a public notice issued by the Office of the Vice-President in Dodoma.
He also announced he would retire from public service and active politics. His resignation will take effect on September 4, 2026.
In the notice, Dr Nchimbi cited Article 50(2)(c) read together with Article 149(2) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania as the basis for stepping down to allow President Hassan to appoint a new Vice-President. He said he had promised President Hassan on August 27, 2025 that he would serve faithfully and vacate the position whenever she desired change.
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The development makes Dr Nchimbi the first Tanzanian Vice-President to voluntarily relinquish the office while still serving, adding a new chapter to the history of the Union's vice-presidency. His predecessor Philip Mpango retired from politics before the elections last year.
Nchimbi's resignation comes against the backdrop of growing speculation in political and media circles over his position within the Government and ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). In recent months, social media platforms had circulated claims that Dr Nchimbi was being sidelined from some high-profile State functions. However, such claims had not been officially confirmed.
The issue had already generated considerable media attention. Last week, the Information Services Department, popularly known as Maelezo, suspended the publishing licence of MwanaHALISI newspaper for six months over a story that detailed Nchimbi rejecting calls to resign.