Ouagadougou, 10 February 2018. The President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Marcel de Souza was conferred with the title of Grand Commander of the National Order of Burkina on Friday 9 February 2018 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

This honour was conferred on him by the President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in recognition of his dedication to the Community, as well as support for the regional organisation in Burkina Faso.

The award ceremony which was chaired by the Minister in the Office of the President of Burkina Faso, Mr Simon Compaoré, took place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. It was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alpha Barry, his staff and a number of ECOWAS Commission officials.

Marcel de Souza thanked President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, the government and people of Burkina Faso for their support during his tenure as President of the ECOWAS Commission and for conferring on him the title of Grand Commander of the National Order of Burkina.

He expressed, in particular; deep and sincere gratitude to the Head of State of Burkina for the support and advice he received from him while at the helm of affairs at the Commission.

Marcel de Souza received this award from the President of Burkina Faso on 28 February 2018, few days to the end of his 2-year transitional tenure as head of the ECOWAS Commission.