Africa-Press – Ghana. 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, emphasising that national reconciliation begins with dialogue.
Speaking at the Crans Montana Forum in Morocco, Mr Afenyo-Markin raised concerns about Mali’s significant security expenditure and its withdrawal from the ECOWAS bloc.
“Spending a quarter of your budget on security is not sustainable in the long term. What efforts is your government making to bring political actors to the table to negotiate peace and foster national reconciliation?
“It is not about sustainability. It is about survival,” responded Mali’s Foreign Minister, highlighting the country’s security challenges.
A statement released by Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament on Friday and issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said.
It said Mr Afenyo-Markin’s inquiry about dialogue and reconciliation prompted a passionate response from Mali’s Foreign Minister.
The Minister cited Mali’s National Dialogue and Inter-Malian Dialogue, emphasising the country’s commitment to domesticating its peace process and refusing external dictate, the statement noted.
It added that the Minister criticised ECOWAS, accusing the bloc of violating the spirit of integration and solidarity by imposing sanctions and contemplating military action against Niger.
“When an organization that is supposed to protect me becomes the platform used to attack me, then I cannot trust it with my sovereignty,” it quoted the minister as saying.
“The exchange highlights the fragile state of regional diplomacy and trust within West Africa, with insecurity, coups, and contested legitimacy reshaping geopolitical alliances.
“My call for dialogue and reconciliation underscores the need for inclusive peace efforts to address the region’s challenges,” it quoted the minority leader as saying.
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