Accra: Ghana's Minority Leader and 3rd Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called on Mali to engage all political actors in peace efforts, stressing that national reconciliation begins with dialogue. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Afenyo-Markin, speaking at the Crans Montana Forum in Morocco, expressed concerns about Mali's substantial security expenditure and its recent withdrawal from the ECOWAS bloc. He questioned the sustainability of spending a quarter of the national budget on security, urging the Malian government to bring political actors to the negotiation table to foster peace and national reconciliation. In response, Mali's Foreign Minister highlighted the country's significant security challenges, stating, "It is not about sustainability. It is about survival." The Minister cited Mali's initiatives such as the National Dialogue and Inter-Malian Dialogue, emphasizing a commitment to domesticating the pe ace process while rejecting external interference. The statement from Mr. Afenyo-Markin, released by the New Patriotic Party and issued to the Ghana News Agency, also mentioned the Minister's criticism of ECOWAS. The Minister accused the bloc of violating integration and solidarity principles by imposing sanctions and considering military action against Niger, thus eroding trust in the regional organization. The exchange between Mr. Afenyo-Markin and the Malian Foreign Minister underscores the fragile state of regional diplomacy and trust within West Africa, where insecurity, coups, and contested legitimacy are reshaping geopolitical alliances. Mr. Afenyo-Markin's call for dialogue and reconciliation highlights the necessity for inclusive peace efforts to address the region's pressing challenges.