Malian TikToker Killed by Suspected Jihadists
Mariam Cissé, a Malian TikTok user reportedly in her 20s with over 100,000 followers, has been killed by suspected jihadists. Cissé was known for posting videos about daily life in her hometown of Tonka, located in the northern Timbuktu region, and often expressed support for the Malian army. Her death has drawn national attention amidst Mali's ongoing jihadist insurgency, which commenced in 2012.
According to state television, Cissé's TikTok activities were aimed at promoting her community and supporting the army.
Circumstances of Abduction and Death
Ms. Cissé was reportedly apprehended by suspected jihadists while conducting a live-stream from a market in a neighboring town, as reported by French public radio RFI. Her brother informed the AFP news agency that she was arrested on Thursday by jihadists, who accused her of "informing the Malian army of their movements."
Over the weekend, she was transported to Tonka by motorbike and subsequently shot in the town's Independence Square. Her brother was reportedly among the onlookers. A security source cited by AFP stated that she was assassinated due to allegations of filming jihadists on behalf of the Malian army. Some of Cissé's TikTok videos featured her in military uniform, with one post captioned "Vive Mali" (Long Live Mali).
Broader Security and Humanitarian Context
Cissé's death coincides with an escalating crisis in Mali, marked by a fuel blockade imposed by jihadist groups. This blockade has severely disrupted daily life, leading to the closure of schools and universities for several weeks.
The Malian government had suspended learning institutions last month, stating its commitment to resolving the crisis to allow their reopening. The French foreign ministry has advised its citizens to depart the country urgently while commercial flights remain available.
On Sunday, African Union Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed significant concern regarding the "rapid deterioration of the security situation," highlighting blockades, disruptions to essential supplies, and worsening humanitarian conditions for civilian populations. He condemned "deliberate attacks against innocent civilians" and affirmed the AU's readiness to support Mali and other Sahel countries.
Mali, a landlocked nation, relies on road transport for all fuel supplies from neighboring states such as Senegal and Ivory Coast. Fuel shortages, particularly in the capital Bamako, have resulted from attacks on tankers on major highways by militants reportedly affiliated with al-Qaeda.
Despite the military seizing power in Mali in 2021 with a pledge to improve security, the jihadist insurgency persists, with substantial portions of the country's northern and eastern regions remaining outside government control.