Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The immediate past president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Marcel Alain De Souza, is dead.

The ECOWAS Commission, in a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja, said the former ECOWAS chief passed away in Paris, France.

The commission was, however, silent on the circumstances surrounding the death of the native of Pobe’, Benin Republic.

The ECOWAS Commission said: “It is with deep regret that the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Jean Claude Kassi Brou, announces the sudden passing of His Excellency Marcel Alain De Souza, former president of the ECOWAS Commission. The sad event occurred in Paris, France on July 17, 2019.

“Mr Marcel A de Souza, who was nominated by Benin at the 48th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Abuja, Nigeria, on December 17, 2015, headed the sub-regional organisation from April 8, 2016, to February 28, 2018.”

The ECOWAS Commission further said the former president who was born on  October 30, 1953, in Pobe, Benin, held a Master’s degree in Economic Science from the University of Dakar, Senegal, and a French post-graduate degree (DESS) in Administration and Banking from the Centre for Training and Banking Studies (COFEB).

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“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.

“In Benin, he 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.

“He was also Minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Prospects from May 2011 to June 2015,” the ECOWAS Commission added.

The ECOWAS Commission further conveyed its condolences to the family of  Marcel Alain De Souza and the Government of Benin Republic.