Malian TikToker killed by suspected Jihadists

A popular Malian TikTok influencer, Mariam Cissé, has been executed by suspected jihadists in northern Mali after being accused of collaborating with the army.

The content creator, who had over 100,000 followers, was reportedly seized while live-streaming from a market near Tonka in the Timbuktu region and later shot in public in what authorities describe as an “execution-style killing”.

According to French broadcaster RFI, Cissé was abducted last Thursday while interacting with followers online. Her brother told the AFP news agency that jihadists accused her of providing information to the Malian army.

She was later transported by motorbike to Tonka and executed at the town’s Independence Square, reportedly in front of onlookers — including her brother.

Security sources cited by AFP said militants believed she had been filming their movements and passing them to the military.

Cissé often posted videos highlighting everyday life in her community and expressing support for Mali’s armed forces. In some clips, she appeared in military uniform, captioning her posts “Vive Mali” (“Long Live Mali”).

Her killing has shocked the country, where government forces have been battling jihadist insurgents since 2012. State media said she had sought only to promote her community and back national troops.

The execution comes amid a crippling fuel blockade imposed by jihadist groups on Bamako, which has paralysed transportation and forced the closure of schools and universities.

The government has promised to resolve the crisis, but shortages persist. The French foreign ministry has urged its citizens to leave the country, warning of deteriorating security conditions.