Samia accepts Nchimbi exit
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Tanzania's Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi on August 22, 2026.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has accepted the resignation of Vice-President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, setting in motion a constitutional process to find his successor after less than a year in office.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka said:
"President Samia has received the resignation request from the Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, effective 4 September 2026. Her Excellency, the President has accepted the request."
The statement said constitutional procedures for filling the vacancy would follow.
Dr Nchimbi will formally leave the vice-presidency on September 4, 2026.
In his letter, which circulated on social media before being officially confirmed, Dr Nchimbi said:
"I have decided to retire from politics and public service and resign from the vice-presidency in accordance with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania."
He linked his decision to a commitment he said he made to President Samia shortly before the 2025 general election.
"On 27 August 2025, I pledged to support President Samia and serve Tanzania with loyalty and to the best of my ability. I also assured the President that if she ever felt the need for another Vice-President, I would step aside. I am convinced beyond doubt that the President wants change, and I have therefore decided to honour my commitment."
He did not specify the nature of the changes he referred to or suggest who should succeed him.
The development opens a new succession process for Tanzania's second-highest constitutional office, with the President now required to initiate the process of appointing a replacement.
Under Tanzanian law, Nchimbi may be appointed to a public office, should he accept. He had earlier said he will also be retiring from public service.
Dr Nchimbi said he will remain loyal to the President, the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi, and country.
He had been Tanzania's Ambassador to Egypt in the past.
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