Tanzania’s Vice President, Emmanuel Nchimbi, has announced his resignation from office and retirement from active politics and public service.
Nchimbi made the announcement on Tuesday, saying he had formally written to President Samia Suluhu Hassan to inform her of his decision. His resignation is expected to take effect on September 4, 2026.
The Vice President said his decision was based on his belief that President Suluhu wanted a change in the Vice Presidency.
“I am fully satisfied without a doubt that the Hon. President desires a change, so I have decided to fulfil my promise,” Nchimbi said.
He explained that he had promised President Suluhu in August 2025 that he would serve her and Tanzania to the best of his ability and with integrity, while also agreeing to step aside if she decided another person should serve as Vice President.
Resignation follows constitutional reform call
Nchimbi’s resignation comes just weeks after he made an unusually strong public call for constitutional reform in Tanzania.
Speaking at the opening of the 15th General Meeting of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition in Dar es Salaam on July 24, he urged Tanzanians to campaign for a new constitution.
“If I were given the chance to tell Tanzanians just one thing, I would tell them: ‘Fight to get a new constitution,’” he said.
He argued that a new constitution based on national consensus was necessary to strengthen human rights, good governance and democracy.
Nchimbi said constitutional reform could provide a framework for addressing several concerns raised by Tanzanians and different interest groups.
“It is the Constitution,” he said, describing constitutional reform as the major issue capable of providing solutions to many of the country’s challenges.
Pressure reportedly mounted
His resignation also comes about a week after local media reported growing pressure on him to leave office. Those reports reportedly resulted in the suspension of a local media outlet.
However, Nchimbi did not directly attribute his resignation to the reported pressure. Instead, he maintained that he was responding to the President’s desire for a change in the Vice Presidency.
Tanzania’s constitutional reform process began in 2011 under former President Jakaya Kikwete but stalled in 2014 before a referendum could be held.
President Suluhu has previously indicated that the process could be revived before 2030, while the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) pledged in its 2025 election manifesto to continue the reform process.
Nchimbi’s resignation will take effect under Articles 50(2)(c) and 149(2) of Tanzania’s Constitution.
In his statement, he thanked President Suluhu, the CCM and Tanzanians for the confidence and cooperation they had shown him throughout his public service career.
He also assured the country that, although he was leaving political office, he would continue to serve as a “good citizen of Tanzania.”
