The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has expelled Vice President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi from the party, shortly after he announced his intention to resign from office and withdraw from public life.
The decision followed an emergency meeting of CCM’s Central Committee and National Executive Committee (NEC), chaired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam.
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CCM Secretary-General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro announced Nchimbi’s expulsion at around 10:30pm, saying the party had determined that he breached its constitution and internal regulations.
“After considering all available information, it was established that the Constitution of Chama Cha Mapinduzi and its regulations had been violated,” Migiro said, adding that Nchimbi’s expulsion took immediate effect.
The development came just a day after Nchimbi revealed that he planned to step down as Vice President and retire from public service.
Nchimbi, who was appointed Vice President in November 2025 as President Samia’s running mate, said he had decided to leave office after sensing that the President was seeking changes to the structure of her administration.
He had initially planned to formally leave office on September 4, 2026.
However, CCM’s leadership moved swiftly to expel him before his planned departure, exposing tensions that had reportedly been developing within the ruling party.
While CCM cited breaches of party discipline and ethics, political observers and insiders have linked the dispute to differences over government policy, political reforms and possible alignments ahead of the 2030 presidential succession.
Nchimbi, a veteran diplomat and former CCM Secretary-General, had increasingly been viewed as a moderate within the party, particularly on issues surrounding political tolerance and justice.
His critics, however, accused him of failing to adequately defend the government amid increased scrutiny following the elections and growing political disagreements.
His expulsion effectively cuts him off from CCM and ends his role within the ruling party as he prepares to leave government.
CCM Picks Ndejembi as Replacement
CCM has already begun the process of filling the vacant Vice President position, endorsing Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi as its nominee.
Ndejembi, who also serves as the MP for Chamwino, is regarded as part of a younger generation of CCM leaders. He has previously served as a District Commissioner and as a Deputy Minister in the President’s Office.
His nomination brings an energy and infrastructure-focused politician into consideration for one of Tanzania’s highest executive offices.
The next stage will take place in Parliament.
Under Tanzania’s Constitution, a presidential nominee for Vice President must be presented to the National Assembly for approval whenever the office becomes vacant.
MPs are expected to debate and vote on Ndejembi’s nomination before the ongoing parliamentary session concludes.
If approved, Ndejembi will become Tanzania’s next Vice President, marking a major leadership change only nine months after Nchimbi assumed the position.
