Tanzania’s Vice President Emmanuel John Nchimbi has announced his resignation from office and retirement from active politics and public service, effective September 4, 2026, in a major shake-up at the top of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government.

Nchimbi announced the decision on Tuesday, August 25, saying he had formally written to President Samia informing her of his intention to step down.

In his letter, Nchimbi cited Article 50 (2) (c), read together with Article 149 (2) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, as the constitutional basis for his resignation.

“Today, August 25, 2026, I have written to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, to inform her of my decision to retire from politics and public service,” Nchimbi said.

He added that his resignation as vice president would formally take effect on September 4.

“Consequently, I will resign from the position of Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, pursuant to Article 50(2)(c) read together with Article 149(2) of the Constitution, effective September 4, 2026,” he said.

Nchimbi linked his decision to a commitment he said he made to President Samia before taking up the role – that he would step aside if she ever felt the need to have someone else serve as her principal assistant.

He said he had now become convinced that the Head of State wanted a change in the Office of the Vice President and had therefore decided to honour that pledge.

“On August 27, 2025, I pledged to Hon. President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan that I would assist her and our country to the best of my ability and with integrity,” Nchimbi said.

“I also assured her that should she ever feel the need for a different Vice President, I would vacate this position.”

The announcement ends Nchimbi’s tenure as Tanzania’s second-in-command and caps a long political and public service career that has seen him occupy senior positions in both government and the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

Nchimbi has been a prominent CCM figure since his youth and rose through the party ranks before taking up senior government positions.

He served as a Member of Parliament for Songea Urban and held several government posts during former President Jakaya Kikwete’s administration, including deputy minister and Cabinet minister.

He later served as Minister for Home Affairs before leaving the Cabinet.

Under the late President John Magufuli, Nchimbi was appointed Tanzania’s ambassador to Brazil, where he served for several years.

President Samia later reassigned him to Egypt as Tanzania’s ambassador before he returned home and re-entered frontline party politics.

In January 2024, Nchimbi was appointed CCM Secretary-General, one of the most influential positions within Tanzania’s ruling party.

He would later become President Samia’s running mate on the CCM ticket in the 2025 General Election before assuming the vice presidency.

His departure now opens the way for a change in Tanzania’s second-highest political office, with attention expected to turn to President Samia and the ruling party over who will succeed him.

Nchimbi, however, said his exit would mark a complete withdrawal from active politics and public service, bringing to a close a political career spanning several decades.

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