A tribute in Brazzaville for a respected AET figure
The Association of Former Child Soldiers (AET) of Congo, led by its president Rémy Ayayos Ikounga, held a final tribute on Jan. 14 in Brazzaville for AET Claude Kipemesso. He died on Dec. 24 in Brazzaville, according to the association’s account.
A life story recalled by peers
During the ceremony, AET Michel Ewolo delivered the funeral address, presenting Claude Kipemesso as a disciplined and widely appreciated member of the AET community. He traced his path from childhood to professional and civic commitments, emphasizing a profile shaped by study and service.
From Kibangou to the military preparatory school
Claude Kipemesso was born on Dec. 3, 1953, in Kibangou, in the Niari department. After primary school in Kibangou, he entered the General Leclerc Military Preparatory School (EMPLG) in 1966. There, he and classmates formed the class known as “Promotion Emery Patrice Lumumba.”
Academic progress and a focus on economics
Peers described him as discreet yet cheerful during his years as a young child soldier. He obtained the BEMG and continued his studies at the Lycée technique d’État du 1er mai, where he earned a baccalaureate in commercial techniques. He later pursued higher education centered on economics and law.
INSSEJAG training and professional entry
His academic journey continued at the Institut des sciences économiques, juridiques, administratives et de gestion (INSSEJAG), where he earned a degree in economic sciences. With this background, he began a professional career that colleagues presented as steady, technical, and built on strong financial and administrative skills.
A career in hotel finance and internal control
Claude Kipemesso first worked as an internal auditor and head of the control department at the Mbamou Palace hotel. He then became deputy assistant to the finance director and head of accounting and finance services. He ultimately served as the hotel’s finance director, reflecting a progression in responsibility.
Public engagement during the national transition
Beyond the private sector, speakers recalled his civic involvement. He took part in the Sovereign National Conference and later served as a deputy during Congo’s transition period. Those presenting his record framed this chapter as an expression of citizenship and a willingness to contribute to public life.
Faith-based studies and continued community service
The funeral address also noted his training at the Bérée Theological Academy, where he obtained a master’s degree in the theological management of ministry. For those who knew him, this additional qualification illustrated a personal commitment to learning and to roles that link leadership with service.
Consulting work on Global Fund–supported programs
His involvement in NGOs and civil society later led him to roles in project management and strategic monitoring. According to the account read at the tribute, Claude Kipemesso served as a national consultant with the National Coordination Committee for projects financed by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
A farewell shaped by memory and institutional pride
The Jan. 14 ceremony brought together the AET community around a shared narrative: a man educated through national institutions, tested by professional responsibilities, and engaged in civic and social initiatives. In honoring Claude Kipemesso, the association highlighted values of discipline, training, and public-spirited commitment.