Mariam Cissé, a young Malian TikToker with over 100,000 followers, was kidnapped and publicly executed by suspected jihadists in northern Mali.
Her crime? Expressing support for the Malian army through her social media posts.
Mariam’s videos showcased life in her Tonka hometown, often featuring her in military uniform, with captions like “Vive Mali” (Long Live Mali).
According to her brother, Mariam was arrested on Thursday while live-streaming at a local market and accused of informing the Malian army of jihadist movements.
The next day, she was taken to Tonka’s Independence Square, where she was shot in front of a crowd, including her brother.
Mali has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2012, with the current military junta struggling to contain the threat.
The country is also facing a severe fuel crisis, with jihadist groups imposing blockades on major highways, disrupting daily life.
The African Union has expressed deep concern over the situation, condemning the “deliberate attacks against innocent civilians” and offering support to Mali and other Sahel countries.
