The Former President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Marcel de Souza, died at the age of 65 after a brief illness, on Wednesday in Paris. De Souza’s death was officially announced in a statement signed by Oghogho Obayuwana, of the Communication Directorate of the Commission in Abuja, NAN reports.
“It is with deep regret that the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jean Claude Kassi Brou, announces the sudden passing of Marcel De Souza, former President of the Commission. The sad event occurred in Paris, France on July 17, 2019,” it said.
It said that De Souza was nominated by Benin at the 48th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS held in Abuja on Dec. 17, 2015, and headed the sub-regional organisation from April 8, 2016, to Feb. 28, 2018.
He was born on Oct. 30, 1953, in Pobe, Benin and held a Masters’ degree in Economic Science from the University of Dakar, Senegal. He also held a French post-graduate degree (DESS) in Administration and Banking from the Centre for Training and Banking Studies (COFEB). He served as an Internal Auditor at the main branch of BCEAO in Cotonou, National Director of BCEAO in Benin and then Director of Administration of the same financial institution in Dakar.
Late De Souza was once a Member of the National Assembly, Head of Economic and Financial Affairs at the Presidency and the Special Adviser to the President of the Republic of Benin on money and banking matters.
