Key facts
- Tanzania's governing party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), expelled Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi.
- The party nominated Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi to replace Nchimbi.
- Nchimbi's resignation will take effect September 4.
- The move is seen as retaliation following Nchimbi's resignation.
- The fallout is linked to President Samia Suluhu Hassan's contentious October election.
Tanzania's ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has expelled Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi following his resignation, a move seen as retaliation that further tests the East African nation's democratic credentials. The party nominated Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi to become President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s deputy.
CCM Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro announced the decision late Wednesday, stating Nchimbi was punished for indiscipline. This action is believed to be connected to the aftermath of Hassan’s contentious October election, which saw security forces deployed to quell riots over the disqualification of key rivals and an internet shutdown. Hassan later apologized for the internet disruption and pledged it would not recur.
Hassan's main opponent, Tundu Lissu, remains jailed on treason charges he claims are politically motivated. Nchimbi stated his resignation would be effective September 4, and he would remain a "good citizen." His departure has surprised many in a country that values stability under CCM's long-standing one-party rule. Some analysts suggest Nchimbi's disagreement with Hassan over governance and the government's handling of post-election protests, which resulted in significant casualties, may have led to his decision.
A postelection inquiry revealed 518 deaths, with the commission leader suggesting the actual number could be higher as some families buried relatives without official confirmation. The commission recommended an investigation into the use of firearms, as witnesses reported loved ones being shot while inside their homes.
CCM has governed Tanzania since its independence in 1961, deeply integrated with the state and security apparatus. Hassan herself ascended to the presidency in 2021 following the sudden death of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli, an orderly transition that reinforced Tanzania's image as a politically stable nation, a key factor in CCM's support base, particularly among rural voters.