A female TikToker accused of aiding Mali's army has been killed execution-style by suspected jihadists, grabbing national attention and spurring outrage. Mariam Cissé, in her 20s and boasting over 100,000 TikTok followers, frequently posted videos from her hometown in Tonka, located in the northern Timbuktu region, expressing support for the military.
Her assassination has sent shockwaves throughout a nation grappling with a jihadist insurgency that has persisted since 2012. According to state television, Cissé aimed to promote her community and support the army through her online presence.
Amid an ongoing fuel blockade imposed by jihadist groups in the capital, this tragedy has further underscored the impediments to daily life in Mali. Cissé was reportedly seized while live-streaming from a market and accused of relaying information to the Malian army on the movements of jihadists.
Witness accounts reveal that she was transported to Tonka on a motorbike before being shot in the town’s Independence Square, witnessed by her brother. This brutal act of violence encapsulates the deadly consequences of voicing support for the military in a conflict-torn nation where jihadists wield considerable influence.
In her videos, Cissé proudly wore a military uniform, with one notable post bearing the caption 'Vive Mali' (Long Live Mali). Her death aggravates an already dire situation as Mali faces severe disruptions in access to essentials due to ongoing militant blockades, raising alarms for civilian safety.
The African Union has expressed grave concerns regarding the rapid deterioration of security in the region, condemning the deliberate attacks against innocent civilians that continue to stymie the efforts of local communities.
