Tanzania’s governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has removed Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi from the party over alleged disciplinary breaches, days after he announced his departure from government.
Nchimbi, 54, declared his intention to leave the vice-presidency earlier this week after only 10 months in office, amid growing signs of tension between him and President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
His recent public statements had raised eyebrows, particularly his call for Tanzanians to campaign for a new constitution.
The comments were widely seen as an indication of increasing differences between the two leaders.
Nchimbi served as Samia’s running mate in last October’s contentious presidential election, which was followed by deadly demonstrations.
An official investigation later estimated that at least 500 people died during the unrest.
The CCM meeting, held under Samia’s leadership, also endorsed Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi, 43, to take over the vacant position.
His nomination will require parliamentary endorsement before he can assume the role.
Party officials did not specify the conduct that led to Nchimbi’s expulsion.
His resignation from the vice-presidency is expected to become effective at the close of next week.
Nchimbi announced his decision in a short message posted on Instagram on Tuesday.
He said he was leaving political life after becoming convinced that Samia was seeking to introduce changes.
He and Samia took their oaths of office last November after officially securing 98% of the vote in the presidential poll.
The election was boycotted by the main opposition group, Chadema, which had demanded changes to the electoral system before participating.
The subsequent unrest prompted accusations from opposition groups and rights organisations that security agencies had used excessive force against demonstrators.
Nchimbi’s departure makes him the first Tanzanian vice-president to voluntarily leave the position while in office.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong