Editor's Review

Tanzania's Vice President Emmanuel John Nchimbi has announced his resignation from the position, saying he has decided to retire from politics and public service.

Tanzania's Vice President Emmanuel John Nchimbi has announced his resignation from the position. 

In a statement on Tuesday, August 25, Nchimbi said he communicated his decision to President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a letter and confirmed that his resignation will take effect on September 4, 2026.

"Today, 25 August 2026, I wrote a letter to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, informing her that I have decided to retire from politics and public service.

"Accordingly, 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 4 September 2026," he wrote.

Nchimbi recalled that on August 27, 2025, he had promised Samia that he would support her and Tanzania to the best of his ability.

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He also noted that he promised to give up his position should Samia need another Vice President.

"I also assured her that if at any time she felt she needed another Vice President, I would relinquish this position. I have become convinced beyond doubt that the President desires change, and I have therefore decided to honour my promise," he added.

File image of President Samia Suluhu and Emmanuel Nchimbi

Nchimbi thanked Samia and the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party for entrusting him with the position, while also expressing appreciation to Tanzanians for their support and cooperation during his years in public service.

"In particular, I thank H.E. the President and the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) for their trust in me. I also take this opportunity to thank all Tanzanians for the tremendous cooperation you gave me throughout my time in public service. I assure you that I will continue to be a good citizen of Tanzania," he concluded.

Nchimbi began his political journey in the 1990s after completing his studies at the Institute of Development Management-Mzumbe, now Mzumbe University. 

In 1997, he was elected to the CCM National Executive Committee, before becoming national chairman of the party's youth wing, UVCCM, in 1998.

His government career took another step in 2003 when he was appointed Bunda District Commissioner, a position he held until 2005. 

That same year, Nchimbi successfully contested the Songea Urban parliamentary seat, beginning a decade-long tenure in the National Assembly.

Between 2005 and 2015, he held several ministerial and deputy ministerial positions under former President Jakaya Kikwete.

Nchimbi served as Deputy Minister for Information, Culture and Sports in 2006, followed by a stint as Deputy Minister for Labour, Employment and Youth Development from 2006 to 2008.

He subsequently served as Deputy Minister for Defence and National Service between 2008 and 2010 before being appointed Minister for Information, Culture and Sports in 2010. In 2012, he moved to the Ministry of Home Affairs, where he served as minister until 2013.

After leaving Parliament, Nchimbi moved into diplomatic service, representing Tanzania abroad. 

He served as the country's ambassador to Brazil from 2016 to 2021 before being appointed ambassador to Egypt, a position he held from 2022 until August 2023.

Nchimbi returned to the centre of Tanzanian politics in January 2024 when he was appointed Secretary-General of CCM. 

His political career reached another major milestone during the 2025 general election when he was selected as CCM's vice-presidential candidate alongside Samia.