A popular TikTok personality was abducted and publicly killed in front of her family. Mariam Cissé, who had nearly 100,000 followers on the social media platform, frequently shared videos showcasing life in her hometown of Tonka in the northern Timbuktu region.
Known for her support of the army and often appearing in military attire in her videos, Mariam’s content had a lighthearted tone, offering a humorous take on living in a volatile country. In her twenties, Mariam was captured by a jihadist group in a neighboring town while live streaming on Thursday, November 6, allegedly for informing the Malian army about the group’s activities.
Her brother revealed to the AFP news agency that Mariam was apprehended by the jihadists who accused her of aiding the Malian army. Subsequently, she was transported to Tonka on a motorcycle and fatally shot in the town’s Independence Square in the presence of her brother and onlookers, as reported by AFP.
According to a security source speaking anonymously, Mariam was targeted for allegedly filming jihadists on behalf of the Malian army, a claim disputed by her family. This brutal act has shocked the nation, which is already grappling with a fuel crisis stemming from a blockade imposed by a terrorist group. The fuel scarcity, particularly affecting the capital Bamako, has disrupted daily life, leading to the closure of schools and universities.
As Mali heavily relies on road transportation for fuel supply from neighboring countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast due to being landlocked, the blockade has severely impacted the country. Despite the military taking control in 2021 with promises to enhance security, the persistent jihadist insurgency has left significant parts of the country beyond government authority, according to the BBC.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairperson of the African Union commission, expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating security conditions caused by terrorist groups imposing blockades, disrupting essential supplies, and exacerbating humanitarian crises for civilians. He strongly denounced the deliberate attacks on innocent civilians that have resulted in loss of lives and heightened instability.