Tanzania's Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi has announced his resignation. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Nchimbi offered to vacate the office on Sept. 4. The presidency confirmed that constitutional measures will be taken to select a new deputy to President Samia Suluhu Hassan. In his statement, Nchimbi said he was "fully convinced" that Hassan desires another deputy. "I assure you that I will continue to be a good citizen of Tanzania," he said.
His resignation is remarkable in a country known for its relative stability under the one-party rule of the Chama cha Mapinduzi party (CCM). Some analysts say he appeared to have disagreed with Hassan over governance and other issues stemming from the government's brutal crackdown on street protests during and after the Oct. 29 election.
"The two were not on good terms," said Tito Magoti, a rights attorney and independent analyst in Dar es Salaam.
A postelection inquiry showed 518 people were killed in the violence. The military was deployed alongside the police to quell riots in major cities. The internet was shut down for days, a move that Hassan later apologized for and promised would never happen again.
The leader of the commission that investigated election-related violence, Mohamed Chande Othman, said in April that the number of deaths was likely higher. He recommended an investigation into the use of firearms.
Hassan has served as president since 2021. Her main rival, Tundu Lissu, is currently jailed over treason charges he says are politically motivated.
CCM has ruled Tanzania since independence from Britain in 1961. Hassan, formerly a vice president, became president after the death of her predecessor, John Pombe.