About Christon Tembo
Lived 1944 – 2009 (aged 65). Christon Tembo was a Zambian politician, diplomat and minister.
Lt. Gen. Christon Tembo (24 May 1944 – 6 March 2009) was a Zambian politician and army commander. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996 and the sixth vice-president of Zambia from 1997 to 2001. He ran for president in the December 2001 election and took third place, with about 13% of the vote.
In 1989, he and others were charged with plotting to overthrow President Kenneth Kaunda, which was judged as an act of treason worthy of the death penalty. He was defended in court successfully by attorney Levy Mwanawasa, who was elected as president in December 2001.
He retired from military service in 1990 and joined the Movement for Multiparty Democracy as vice-president of the party under Frederick Chiluba, who became president in 1991. He fell out with Chiluba over the latter's attempt to gain a third term in office in 2001 and then formed the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) as a breakaway party, which he led until his death.
He died on March 6, 2009, in Lusaka.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Christon Tembo's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Christon Tembo's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Christon Tembo?
Zambian vice president (1944-2009)
When was Christon Tembo born?
Christon Tembo was born on 6 March 1944 in Kasempa.
When did Christon Tembo die?
Christon Tembo died on 6 March 2009 in Lusaka.
What was Christon Tembo's occupation?
Christon Tembo was a politician, diplomat and minister.
What nationality was Christon Tembo?
Christon Tembo was Zambian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Christon Tembo. https://biography.guide/christon-tembo/
MLA: "Christon Tembo." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/christon-tembo/.
Chicago: "Christon Tembo." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/christon-tembo/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:27 UTC