A popular influencer on TikTok was abducted and publicly killed in front of her family members.
Mariam Cissé, known for her nearly 100,000 followers on the social media platform, frequently shared videos showcasing life in her hometown of Tonka in the northern Timbuktu region. Despite her public support for the military and often featuring in their uniform in her content, Mariam’s videos maintained a light-hearted tone, often humorously addressing life in a volatile country.
Believed to be in her twenties, Mariam was taken by a jihadist group while live streaming from a neighboring town on Thursday, November 6. Her brother informed the AFP news agency that she was accused by the jihadists of providing information to the Malian army about their movements. Subsequently, Mariam was transported by motorcycle to Tonka and then fatally shot in the town’s Independence Square, with her brother present in the crowd, as per AFP reports.
A security source revealed that Mariam was murdered due to allegations of filming jihadists for the Malian army. The source, speaking anonymously, described the act as ‘barbaric’. Additionally, reports suggested that the jihadists suspected her of recording them on behalf of the military.
The shocking killing of Mariam has deeply impacted Mali, which is currently grappling with a fuel blockade imposed by a terrorist group. The blockade, initiated by militants from an al-Qaeda affiliate who have been attacking tankers on major highways, has caused severe fuel shortages in Mali, particularly in the capital city of Bamako. This disruption has forced the closure of schools and universities, significantly affecting daily life.
Mali, being a landlocked country, heavily relies on fuel supplies transported by road from neighboring nations like Senegal and Ivory Coast. Despite a military takeover in 2021 promising enhanced security, the jihadist insurgency persists, with substantial parts of the country remaining beyond government control, as reported by the BBC.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairperson of the African Union commission, expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, citing terrorist groups’ blockades, disruption of essential supplies, and heightened humanitarian challenges for civilians. He strongly condemned the deliberate attacks targeting innocent civilians, leading to unacceptable loss of life and increased instability.
