Tanzania ruling CCM expels VP Nchimbi, Energy Minister to take his place

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 27 — Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has expelled Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi from the party, citing a breach of its values, a day after he announced his decision to resign from office. CCM Secretary-General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro announced the decision on Wednesday following a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), chaired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The party designated Energy Minister Deogratius John Ndejembi to replace Nchimbi as Vice President, with the outgoing officeholder’s resignation set to take effect on September 4.

Ndejembi, who represents Chamwino constituency in Parliament, will require the support of a majority of Members of Parliament before assuming the office upon nomination. The dramatic political shift comes barely a month after Nchimbi publicly called on Tanzanians to push for a new constitution, saying constitutional reform was critical to strengthening human rights, good governance and democracy. “If I were given the chance to tell Tanzanians just one thing, I would tell them: ‘Fight to get a new constitution,’” Nchimbi said on July 24.

He made the remarks while opening the 15th General Meeting of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) in Dar es Salaam. Nchimbi argued that Tanzania needed a constitution built on national consensus and capable of addressing concerns raised by different groups while providing a framework for the country’s long-term development. “Fight to get a constitution that has the agreement of all stakeholders, a constitution with consensus in the nation,” he said.

“When you listen to many of the demands from different people, you find they have lined up many things all at once. You must choose the single major thing that can carry everything in the country. Nchimbi resignation Nchimbi announced on Tuesday that he had written to President Suluhu informing her of his decision to retire from politics and public service and relinquish the Vice Presidency.

He said the decision was prompted by the President’s desire for a change in leadership. Nchimbi yields to Suluhu’s desire for change Nchimbi said he had promised Suluhu in August 2025 that he would support her and Tanzania “to the best of my ability and with integrity” and step aside whenever she felt another Vice President was needed.