A popular Malian TikToker, Mariam Cissé, has been brutally killed by suspected jihadists after being accused of supporting the Malian army through her social media posts.
Cissé, believed to be in her 20s and known for her vibrant videos promoting her hometown of Tonka in the Timbuktu region, had over 100,000 followers on TikTok. Her content often included patriotic messages praising the army and encouraging unity amid Mali’s ongoing conflict.
According to reports, the young influencer was abducted last Thursday while live-streaming at a market in a nearby town. Witnesses say the assailants accused her of sharing information about jihadist movements with the military.
French public radio RFI and the AFP news agency reported that the militants later transported her by motorbike to Tonka, where she was executed at the town’s Independence Square — in full view of residents, including her brother.
Security sources told AFP that Cissé was targeted because she had allegedly filmed jihadist activities “for the Malian army.” In several of her videos, she appeared in military attire, with one caption reading “Vive Mali” (“Long Live Mali”).
Her death has sent shockwaves across Mali, a country already struggling under a worsening jihadist insurgency that began in 2012. State television described her as a patriotic citizen who simply wanted to uplift her community and support national security forces through her content.
Meanwhile, the situation in Mali continues to deteriorate amid a fuel blockade imposed by militant groups, crippling transportation and daily life. Schools and universities have remained closed for weeks as the government struggles to address the crisis.
The African Union (AU) has expressed deep concern about the “rapid deterioration of the security situation,” condemning the targeted attacks on civilians and the worsening humanitarian crisis caused by blockades and violence.
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the continental body stands ready to support Mali and other Sahel nations facing similar instability.
Mali’s military government, which took power in 2021, had pledged to restore security and reclaim areas lost to extremist groups. However, large portions of the north and east remain under jihadist control, with recent attacks underscoring the growing volatility in the region.