Nchimbi said on Tuesday that he had written to President Samia Suluhu Hassan informing her of his decision to relinquish the Vice Presidency, with his resignation taking effect on September 4.
He said the decision was based on his belief that President Suluhu wanted a change in the Vice Presidency.
“I am fully satisfied without a doubt that the Hon. President desires a change, so I have decided to fulfill my promise,” Nchimbi said.
He said he had promised President Suluhu in August 2025 that he would serve her and Tanzania “to the best of my ability and with integrity” and would step aside if she decided another person should serve as Vice President.
Nchimbi’s resignation comes about a week after local media reported growing pressure on him to leave office. The reports prompted the suspension of a local media outlet, according to the information available.
His resignation comes just over a month after he made an unusually strong public appeal for constitutional reform.
Speaking at the opening of the 15th General Meeting of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition in Dar es Salaam on July 24, Nchimbi urged Tanzanians to campaign for a new constitution.
“If I were given the chance to tell Tanzanians just one thing, I would tell them: ‘Fight to get a new constitution,’” he said.
He said a new constitution based on national consensus was necessary to strengthen human rights, good governance and democracy.
“Fight to get a constitution that has the agreement of all stakeholders, a constitution with consensus in the nation,” he said.
Nchimbi argued that constitutional reform could provide a framework for addressing the various demands being raised by Tanzanians and different groups.
“When you listen to many of the demands from different people, you find they have lined up many things all at once. You must choose the single major thing that can carry everything in the country. It is the Constitution,” he said.
Tanzania’s constitutional reform process began in 2011 under former President Jakaya Kikwete but stalled in 2014 before a referendum could be held.
President Suluhu has previously indicated that the process would be revived before 2030, while the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) pledged in its 2025 election manifesto to continue the reform process.
Nchimbi’s resignation will take effect under Articles 50(2)(c) and 149(2) of Tanzania’s Constitution.
In his statement, he thanked President Suluhu, the CCM, and Tanzanians for their confidence and cooperation throughout his public service career.
He also pledged to remain a “good citizen of Tanzania” after leaving office.
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