Tanzania’s ruling party expels former Vice President, Nchimbi, after his resignation

Former Tanzanian Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi has been expelled from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party on grounds of indiscipline, days after resigning from office in an unprecedented move that has shaken the country’s political landscape.

The 54-year-old, who stepped down after serving just 10 months as vice-president, was dismissed during an extraordinary CCM meeting chaired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The ruling party did not elaborate on the allegations of indiscipline against Mr Nchimbi, whose resignation is due to take effect at the end of next week, BBC reports.

Nchimbi announced his resignation in a brief letter posted on Instagram on Tuesday, saying he had decided to retire from public life because he had “become convinced, without doubt, that the president wants changes.”

Read more: Tanzania Vice-President, Nchimbi, resigns from office

His departure follows a series of remarks that fuelled speculation of a rift with President Samia, including a recent call for Tanzanians to “fight for a new constitution.”

Nchimbi made history by becoming Tanzania’s first vice-president to resign from office.

President Samia has nominated 43-year-old Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi to succeed him, with the nomination awaiting parliamentary approval.

President Samia and Nchimbi assumed office in November after securing 98 percent of the vote in the October presidential election, which was boycotted by the main opposition party, Chadema.

The opposition had demanded electoral reforms before participating in the polls.

The election was followed by widespread violence that claimed at least 500 lives, according to an official inquiry.

Opposition parties and human rights organisations accused security forces of using excessive force against anti-government demonstrators.

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