Tanzania's Ruling Party Expels Resigned Vice President in Retaliatory Move

Tanzania's governing party has expelled the vice president who resigned earlier this week, a retaliatory action that underscores growing political friction in the East African nation.

The Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party's disciplinary committee voted to punish Emmanuel Nchimbi for indiscipline, according to CCM Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro. The party has nominated Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi to replace him as President Samia Suluhu Hassan's deputy.

The development is seen as fallout from the contentious October election, during which security forces were deployed to quell riots triggered by the disqualification of the president's main rivals. The government also shut down the internet for several days, a decision Hassan later apologized for, promising it would not recur.

Nchimbi, who said his resignation takes effect September 4, has stated he will remain "a good citizen." Analysts suggest he disagreed with Hassan over governance issues, including the government's handling of post-election protests.

A post-election inquiry recorded 518 deaths from the violence. Commission head Mohamed Chande Othman noted the figure was likely higher, as some families buried relatives without morgue documentation. He recommended investigating the use of firearms by security forces.

CCM has governed Tanzania since independence in 1961, maintaining a firm grip on state institutions. The party's dominance has historically ensured orderly leadership transitions, as seen when Hassan assumed the presidency in 2021 following the sudden death of John Pombe Magufuli.

That stability has long been a cornerstone of CCM's appeal, particularly among rural voters. The current political turbulence, however, raises questions about the durability of that reputation.