Tanzania’s governing party expelled the Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi for indiscipline following his decision to resign from the position - that was to take effect next week.

A meeting of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party took the decision to expel Nchimbi and nominated Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi to become President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s deputy, CCM Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told reporters late Wednesday.

Nchimbi had said that his resignation would take effect September 4 and that he would remain “a good citizen” of his country.

He was President Samia’s running mate in last October's general election and his decision has shocked many in the country.

Accepted resignation

The president accepted Nchimbi’s resignation on Tuesday and her office said "constitutional procedures to obtain another Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania will be taken."

Nchimbi earlier said he was resigning to respect the president's wishes and referred to a previous commitment to step down if the president wanted a different vice president.

Last month Nchimbi urged Tanzanians to fight for a new constitution that could lead the country "toward development, not just material and economic development, but the development of dignity and the human worth of every person living in Tanzania," he said.