In brief
Mariam Cissé, a popular TikToker who had garnered over 100,000 followers for her pro-army videos, was executed by suspected jihadists in Mali. Her death has sent shockwaves through the nation, which has been battling a persistent jihadist insurgency since 2012. Accused of informing on jihadist movements to the military, her killing underscores the growing threat against those who publicly support the Malian army amidst a worsening security situation.
A female TikToker accused of helping Mali's army has been seized and killed execution-style by suspected jihadists. Mariam Cissé, said to be in her 20s and with over 100,000 TikTok followers, posted videos about life in her Tonka hometown in the northern Timbuktu region and often expressed support for the army.Her death has shocked the nation, which has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2012. State TV said she had simply wanted to promote her community and support the army through her TikTok posts.Mali is grappling with a fuel blockade imposed on the capital by jihadist groups that has severely disrupted daily life, with the African Union expressing deep concern.Ms. Cissé was seized by the suspected jihadists while live-streaming from a market in a neighbouring town, according to French public radio RFI. My sister was arrested on Thursday by the jihadists, her brother told the AFP news agency, saying they had accused her of informing the Malian army of their movements.Over the weekend she was moved to Tonka by motorbike and shot at the town's Independence Square while her brother was in the crowd. A security source told the agency she had been assassinated because she had been accused of filming jihadists for the Malian army.In some of her TikTok videos, she wears military uniform, with one of her posts captioned 'Vive Mali' (Long Live Mali).Her death comes as the crisis caused by the jihadist blockade has worsened, with schools and universities remaining shut for weeks. The government has suspended learning institutions since last month, assuring citizens that it would do everything possible to address the crisis and reopen them on Monday.On Sunday, AU Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf voiced concerns about the rapid deterioration of the security situation where terrorist groups have imposed blockades, disrupted access to essential supplies, and severely worsened humanitarian conditions for civilian populations. He condemned the deliberate attacks against innocent civilians that resulted in unacceptable loss of lives and heightened instability. The situation remains dire, especially in the capital Bamako, where fuel shortages have persisted due to jihadists blockading major supply routes.
