Marcel Alain de Souza
Marcel Alain de Souza | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Pobè, Benin |
| Died | July 17, 2019 (aged 65) Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, banker |
| Known for | President of the ECOWAS Commission (2016–2018), Minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Forecast of Benin (2011–2015) |
Marcel Alain de Souza (30 October 1953 – 17 July 2019) was a distinguished politician and banker from Benin. He held the position of President of the ECOWAS Commission between April 2016 and February 2018, and previously served as Benin's Minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Forecast from May 2011 until June 2015.
Early life and career
De Souza was born in Pobè on 30 October 1953, belonging to the notable De Souza family of Portuguese heritage centered in Ouidah. Among his ten siblings was his sister Chantal Yayi, who became Benin’s first lady through her marriage to President Thomas Boni Yayi. He was also related as a nephew to Archbishop Isidore de Souza. His academic background includes a master's degree in economics from the University of Dakar and an additional master's degree in banking and management obtained at the West African Training Centre for Banking Studies, complemented by further training at the International Monetary Fund.
Beginning his professional journey in the 1970s, de Souza joined the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) based in Cotonou, advancing from the role of internal controller to national director for Benin, and later to Director of Administration at BCEAO’s headquarters in Dakar. During this tenure, he collaborated with Thomas Boni Yayi, who would later become president.
Political career
In 2009, de Souza assumed leadership as chairperson of the Republican Front of Benin. He occupied the role of Head of Department for Economic and Financial Affairs within the Office of the President, followed by an appointment as Special Adviser on Monetary and Banking Affairs. Acting as spokesperson for President Thomas Boni Yayi during the 2011 Beninese presidential election, he then served as Minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Forecast from May 2011 through June 2015. De Souza secured a seat in the National Assembly during the 2015 Beninese parliamentary election.
On 17 December 2015, at the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government’s 48th Ordinary Session, Benin was granted the presidency of the ECOWAS Commission, with de Souza nominated for the role. He openly criticized President Boni Yayi’s endorsement of Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou as the candidate for the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin in the March 2016 presidential race. De Souza contested the election himself representing the Republican Front for a Patriotic Alternative (Frap), but garnered only 0.13% of votes. He subsequently threw his support behind candidate Patrice Talon in the runoff. Following Talon’s electoral success, de Souza’s nomination as ECOWAS Commission President was reaffirmed by Benin. He officially took office on 8 April 2016, resigning his National Assembly seat which was then filled by Justin Adjovi.
During his tenure as ECOWAS Commission President, de Souza tackled financial constraints by halting non-essential travel and restricting participation at statutory meetings. His leadership encompassed managing regional challenges such as the 2016–2017 Gambian constitutional crisis. In October 2017, he voiced skepticism regarding the feasibility of establishing a single currency by 2020. His mandate concluded on 28 February 2018 when he was succeeded by Jean-Claude Brou.
De Souza passed away due to cardiac arrest on 17 July 2019 in Paris at age 65.