Maria das Neves

Maria das Neves Ceita Baptista de Sousa (born 1958 ) was from 2002 to 2004 Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Political career

Maria das Neves was trained in Cuba and worked for the Ministry of Finance and later for the African Development Bank. She was Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Finance in 2001 and 2002 Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourism, 1999. It belongs to the party founded in 1960, Movimento de São Tomé e Príncipe de Libertação ( MLSTP - PSD), reigned as the Unity Party after 1975 until the introduction of democracy 1990/1991. It was considered a confidant of Manuel Pinto da Costa, who led the party until February 2005.

President Fradique de Menezes named her after the failure of the previous government coalition on 3 October 2002 as prime minister. During the military coup on 16 July 2003, she and other members of the government were briefly detained by the coup. Because of a slight heart attack, she suffered while she was treated in the hospital. The coup itself was terminated after a week on the negotiation and amnesty to the rebels. She offered on 1 August 2003 to her resignation, but was confirmed by the President in office. On 9 August 2003, the newly formed government was sworn.

On September 15, 2004, President Menezes gave their dismissal known corruption charges against her and members of her government. In the ensuing debate Neves threw in return also the President before the corruption. Background were oil concessions in the waters around the island state of large oil deposits have been discovered in recent years. The MLSTP - PSD nominated Damiao Vaz d' Almeida as the new head of government, the Maria das Neves replaced on 18 September 2004.

The allegations of corruption they may pursue in 2005. President Menezes threatened to dissolve the Parliament if the accused politicians do not waive their parliamentary immunity.