Tanzania Vice President Emmanuel John Nchimbi has resigned from office and announced his retirement from politics and public service, saying President Samia Suluhu Hassan wants a change in the vice presidency.
Nchimbi made the announcement on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in a public statement issued from the Office of the Vice President in Dodoma. He said he had written to President Hassan to formally communicate his decision.
His resignation is set to take effect on September 4, 2026.
The announcement comes amid recent reports and speculation about Nchimbi’s position within President Hassan’s administration. However, in his statement, the outgoing vice president framed his departure as the fulfilment of a commitment he had made to the President rather than directly describing a political dispute.
Nchimbi says Samia wanted change
Nchimbi said he had promised President Hassan on August 27, 2025, that he would support her and Tanzania faithfully and would leave office if she decided she needed another vice president.
He said he had now become convinced that the President wanted a change.
“Tarehe 27 Agosti 2025, nilimuahidi Mhe. Rais Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan kuwa nitamsaidia yeye na Nchi yetu kwa uwezo wangu wote na kwa uaminifu.”
Translated, Nchimbi said: “On August 27, 2025, I promised President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan that I would assist her and our country to the best of my ability and with utmost faithfulness.”
He added that he had also assured her that he would vacate the position whenever she felt another vice president was needed.
“Nimejiridhisha pasipo shaka kuwa Mhe. Rais anatamani mabadiliko, hivyo nimeamua kutimiza ahadi yangu.”
This translates to: “I am fully satisfied, without any doubt, that the President desires change, and therefore I have decided to fulfil my promise.”
Nchimbi’s wording has placed President Hassan’s desire for a change at the centre of his decision to leave office.
Nchimbi retires from politics
Nchimbi said he had decided not only to resign as vice president but also to retire from politics and public service.
He cited Article 50(2)(c), read together with Article 149(2) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, as the legal basis for his resignation.
He thanked President Hassan and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) for the confidence they had placed in him.
“Kipekee, namshukuru Mhe. Rais na Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kwa imani yao kwangu.”
He also thanked Tanzanians for their cooperation throughout his years in public service.
“Nawahakikishia kuwa nitaendelea kuwa raia mwema wa Tanzania.”
Nchimbi said he would continue to be a good citizen of Tanzania after leaving active politics.
His resignation clears the way for President Hassan to appoint a new vice president.
The development marks a major change in Tanzania’s senior leadership, with Nchimbi exiting the position after serving as Hassan’s vice president. Recent reports had also fuelled speculation about his standing within the administration, although his resignation statement did not expressly describe a fallout with the President.
