Tanzania’s Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi is set to leave office after announcing his resignation, just weeks after reports emerged of growing tensions between him and President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The 54-year-old disclosed his decision in a short statement posted on Instagram, explaining that he had chosen to honour the president’s wishes.
His departure was also confirmed by officials from both his office and the presidency.
Nchimbi said he would withdraw from public service at the close of next week.
His exit comes fewer than 10 months after he assumed the vice-presidency, making him the first person to resign from the position since Tanzania gained independence.
He served as President Samia’s running mate during last October’s controversial election, which was followed by deadly demonstrations and unrest.
The two leaders were inaugurated in November after officially securing 98% of the vote.
An official investigation estimated that at least 500 people died during the violence that followed the election.
Opposition groups and rights organisations accused state security agencies of using excessive force against demonstrators opposed to the government.
In his resignation statement, Nchimbi said he had concluded that President Samia was seeking a change in her deputy and had therefore decided to honour an earlier commitment to leave if she wanted a different vice-president.
He expressed appreciation to the president, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), and Tanzanians for the confidence and backing shown to him throughout his years in government.
Nchimbi said his departure was being carried out under the provisions of the constitution and pledged to remain a responsible citizen.
His resignation follows several remarks he made publicly in recent weeks that appeared to signal differences with the presidency.
Last month, he called on citizens to push for the adoption of a new constitution, saying the country had an opportunity to achieve the reform before 2030.
He argued that constitutional changes could help tackle unfairness, improve protection of freedoms, promote accountability and strengthen democratic institutions.
Before becoming vice-president, Nchimbi served as CCM secretary-general and occupied a number of important government positions.
He previously headed the information and home affairs ministries before taking up diplomatic assignments as Tanzania’s ambassador to Brazil and subsequently Egypt.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong