Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party has expelled outgoing Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi for alleged indiscipline, days after he announced his resignation amid signs of a growing rift with President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The party did not disclose details of the allegations against Nchimbi, whose resignation is due to take effect at the end of next week. The decisions were made during an extraordinary CCM meeting chaired by Samia.
Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi, 43, was nominated to succeed Nchimbi. His appointment must now be approved by parliament.
Nchimbi, 54, announced his resignation in a brief letter posted on Instagram on Tuesday. He said he would withdraw from public life after becoming convinced that the president “wants changes.”
His departure follows several controversial public remarks, including a call for Tanzanians to “fight for a new constitution,” which fuelled speculation about tensions between him and the president.
Nchimbi is the first vice-president in Tanzania’s history to resign. He had served in the position for about 10 months after running alongside Samia in the disputed presidential election last October.
Samia and Nchimbi were sworn into office in November after official results awarded them 98 percent of the vote. The main opposition party, Chadema, boycotted the election after demanding electoral reforms.
The vote was followed by widespread unrest and a sweeping security crackdown. An official inquiry said at least 500 people were killed, while opposition parties and rights groups accused security forces of using excessive violence against anti-government demonstrators.