A young female TikTok user in Mali, identified as Mariam Cissé, has reportedly been killed by suspected jihadists after being accused of assisting the Malian army. Cissé, who had more than 100,000 followers on the platform, frequently shared content about her hometown of Tonka and expressed support for the military. Her death is notable in the context of Mali’s ongoing struggle against a jihadist insurgency that has persisted since 2012.
Cissé was taken by militants while live-streaming from a market in a nearby town. Her brother stated that she was arrested on accusations of informing the army about the movements of jihadists. Reports indicate that she was transported back to Tonka and shot in a public square, while her brother was among witnesses.
There are conflicting perspectives on her TikTok videos; some showcased her in military attire, promoting national pride with captions such as “Vive Mali.” Local authorities contend that her intentions were simply to advocate for her community and the army, rather than to act against the jihadists.
The backdrop of her death reveals a worsening situation in Mali, where a blockade by jihadist groups has resulted in significant disruptions to daily life. This blockade has led to the closure of schools and universities, prompting the government to declare a commitment to resolving the ongoing crisis and reopening these institutions.
On the diplomatic front, the African Union expressed concern regarding the deterioration of security conditions in the region, highlighting challenges such as access to essential supplies and humanitarian needs for civilians. The situation has led to advisories from the French foreign ministry, encouraging citizens to leave Mali before further commercial flight options cease.
Mali, which remains landlocked, is facing fuel shortages largely due to attacks on transport routes by militants, complicating the supply chain from neighboring countries. The military has been in control since 2021, yet the jihadist threat continues to challenge government authority in various regions of the country.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnvep8ppyr6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss