Emmanuel Nchimbi has been expelled from Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party for indiscipline following his decision earlier this week to resign as the country’s vice-president after 10 months in the job.
The 54-year-old has made some controversial remarks in recent weeks – including urging Tanzanians to “fight for a new constitution” – pointing to a possible fallout with President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He was Samia’s running mate in last October’s disputed presidential election, which saw hundreds killed in post-poll unrest.
Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi, 43, has been nominated as his replacement and his name will now be presented to parliament for approval.
The decisions were taken at an extraordinary meeting of the CCM, chaired by President Samia.
The party did not give details about the indiscipline allegations against Nchimbi, whose resignation takes effect at the end of next week.
Nchimbi, who shared his brief resignation letter on his Instagram account on Tuesday morning, is the first vice-president to step down in Tanzania’s history.
He said he would retire from public life as he had “become convinced, without doubt, that the president wants changes”.
Samia and Nchimbi were sworn in last November after winning 98% of the vote.
The election was boycotted by the main opposition party, Chadema, which had called for electoral reforms as a precondition to taking part.
Violent protests in the awake of voting led to the deaths of at least 500 people, according to an official enquiry.
Opposition parties and human rights groups accused the security forces of unleashing a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters.
