Maria das Neves

Maria das Neves Ceita Baptista de Sousa is a São Toméan politician and economist who served as prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe from 2002 to 2004. Appointed as a member of MLSTP–PSD, she was the first woman to serve as head of government for São Tomé and Príncipe. Das Neves was prime minister during the attempted coup of 2003 and was arrested by those orchestrating the coup. She resigned after it ended but was convinced to stay by President Fradique de Menezes. De Menezes dissolved das Neves's government in September 2004 following allegations of corruption. She continued serving in the National Assembly, and she was an unsuccessful candidate for president in 2011, 2016, and 2021. She was appointed rector of the Lusíada University of São Tomé and Príncipe in 2024.