Tanzania vice president resigns after rift report

Tanzania's vice president Emmanuel Nchimbi resigned Tuesday, saying he wanted to respect President Samia Suluhu Hassan's wishes after a newspaper reported divisions within the government.

“I have decided to retire from politics and public service,” Nchimbi said in a Swahili message shared on Instagram. He said his resignation would take effect on September 4.

Nchimbi said he had promised Hassan he would resign if she wanted a different vice president, and said he was “convinced beyond doubt that the president desires change”. There was no official reaction from the presidency.

The resignation came a week after Tanzania suspended the critical Mwanahalisi newspaper. The paper had published an article, quoting anonymous sources, alleging that Nchimbi was unwilling to step down after pressure from the ruling party and had disagreed with Hassan.

Hassan became president after the death of John Magufuli in March 2021 and was initially praised for easing restrictions on opposition and media. The opposition now accuses her of returning to her predecessor's policies.

International observers have warned of narrowing civil and political rights in Tanzania. The country saw hundreds killed during election unrest last year, when Hassan won 98% of the vote in an election criticised by international observers.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks Tanzania 117th out of 180 countries for press freedom.