Dar es Salaam-Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has announced the expulsion of former Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi, a day after he announced his resignation. Speaking to the press at around 10:30 pm on August 26, 2026, the party’s General Secretary, Asha Rose Migiro, said Nchimbi had been expelled because of the conduct that violated party rules and regulations.
Migiro explained that the matter was discussed by both the party’s Central Committee and the National Executive Committee. Following deliberation, she outlined that it was noted that the party’s constitution, along with its rules and regulations, had been violated by the former Vice President.
“The National Executive Committee of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) unanimously passed a resolution that, due to conduct that violated the party’s rules concerning discipline and ethics, Nchimbi should be expelled from membership in accordance with the party’s regulations,” Migiro said.
“Therefore, we would like to inform all members of Chama Cha Mapinduzi and the general public that the party has reached this decision. Consequently, effective immediately, Nchimbi has been expelled from the party and is no longer a member of Chama Cha Mapinduzi,” she added.
The expulsion offers some explanation for the haste with which Nchimbi’s resignation was announced, a surprising move made through a dormant personal account. The senior party figure, who has drawn considerable public attention in recent months over his stance on reform and justice, announced his resignation a day before parliament was due to resume its session.
READ MORE: Tanzanian Vice President Resigns Amid Reports of Top Leadership Rift
Had Nchimbi been expelled from the party while still serving as Vice President, he would still have lost his title. Moreover, his resignation came a day before parliament’s session opened, where the constitution allows parliament to vote to impeach the Vice President, or the President to submit a certificate against him to initiate an impeachment process.
A falling-out between Nchimbi and President Samia has been the subject of speculation, though neither side has confirmed it. His call for a new constitution is seen by some as one of the final triggers behind the rift; others, however, view his recent push for the new constitution as his last contribution to public demand amid increasing pressure.
Nchimbi is considered one of the reformers within the ruling party who has pushed back against the growing culture of political violence and impunity, and advocated for greater tolerance toward political opponents and activists. These were traits he championed since his time as party Secretary General, and many saw his selection as Vice President as a sign he would try to bridge the gap toward more decent politics, amid the increasing involvement of the security apparatus in Tanzanian politics.
READ MORE: Emmanuel Nchimbi: Why His Selection as Samia’s 2025 Running Mate Matters
The main source of the rift is believed to be disagreement over political direction, as well as issues surrounding the 2030 presidential succession. Some of Nchimbi’s critics have faulted him for making no effort to defend the government over the fallout from the October 29 election and the killing of civilians. Since announcing his resignation, Nchimbi has yet to be seen in public.
Ndenjembi’s Appointment
CCM also announced the appointment of Deogratius Ndenjembi, the current Minister of Energy, as Vice President, pending parliamentary approval, which is expected to go through without difficulty.
Ndenjembi is one of the ruling party members with limited political experience compared to his predecessor. His first political appointment was as District Commissioner for Kongwa District in 2016; before that, he was an ordinary ruling party member holding minor positions at the lower levels of the party. His last position before becoming District Commissioner in 2016 was in the private sector, as head of marketing at GSM Group, a logistics company owned by one of CCM’s top financiers, Ghalib Said Mohamed (GSM). He also worked for outdoor advertising agency A1, as well as with telecom companies including Smile and Tigo (now Yas).
After failing to pass CCM’s primaries in 2015, Ndenjembi succeeded in 2020, when he became Chamwino MP, and was appointed Deputy Minister in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance between 2021 and 2023. He then served as Deputy Minister at the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government between 2023 and 2024, followed by a stint as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities). He currently serves as Minister of Energy.
Just like the cabinet that was announced on November 18, 2025, Ndenjembi fits the profile shared by most cabinet members: limited political ambition, minimal political influence, and near-total dependence on the president’s name for political survival, owing to limited political capital at the national level.
Ndenjembi is expected to assume the role on or around September 5, 2026, as the current Vice President’s term constitutionally ends on September 4, 2026. This means approval for Vice President Ndenjembi is expected to take place in the current parliamentary session, which ends on September 4.
