By Alhagie Jobe in Dakar
The new President of the ECOWAS Commission Alain Marcel de Souza has said that “no real and lasting integration” is achievable, “without peace and sustainable security environment in the sub-region. Souza was speaking Saturday after he was sworn-in as new president of the ECOWAS Commission at the 49th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held Saturday in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.
A super economist and bureaucrat from Benin, Souza assumed duties on April 8th, 2016 at a handing over ceremony at the Commission headquarters in Abuja. He took over from Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso.
In his first address before Heads of States and Governments of ECOWAS member states, Mr Souza said the immediate role of ECOWAS under his presidency is to save Mali and Guinea Bissau. He said Mali is faced with routine terrorist attacks and an occupation of its northern part by Jihadist. He said Guinea Bissau too has for years now been suffering from political instability. He said the role of ECOWAS in Mali and Guinea Bissau is his priority and urged all member states to be vigilant especially at a time when all forms of violence and extremism is exacerbated. Mr Souza admitted that there are huge security challenges facing the sub-regional bloc and urged member states to share information, communicate, coordinate and harmonize efforts and mobilize resources to deal with the extremist groups to ensure regional stability. He then suggested the possibility of establishing a regional intervention force against terrorism.
Who is De Souza
De Souza was born on 20th of October 1953 at Pobè in the Republic of Benin. He holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Dakar as well as a specialized Master’s Degree in Management and Banking at the West African Training Centre for Banking Studies (COFEB) completing his training at the IMF Institute in Washington.
Mr. de Souza was formerly the Internal Controller at Banque Centrale des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest- Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) head office in Cotonou. He rose to become national Director and Director of Administration at the bank headquarters in Dakar.
President de Souza had also served as Head of Department of Economic and Financial Affairs in the Office of the President of the Republic of Benin before he was appointed as Special Adviser to the President of the Republic of Benin on Monetary and Banking Affairs and later the minister for Development, Economic Analysis and Forecast from 28 May 2011 to 15 June 2015.
Prior to his appointment as the President of the ECOWAS Commission, he has been a Member of Parliament of the Benin National Assembly since June 2015. Mr. de SOUZA is fluent in French and has knowledge of English and German. He is married with 7 children.
