Popular TikTok blogger Mariam Cisse was kidnapped and publicly executed by jihadists in Mali. The extremists accused her of filming militants and collaborating with the army, an incident that heightened concerns in a country engulfed in a security crisis.
In Mali, militants linked to Al-Qaeda kidnapped and publicly executed well-known TikTok blogger Mariam Cisse, accusing her of filming them and passing information to government forces.
Daily Mail, citing local media, reports that 27-year-old Cisse, who had over 90,000 followers, posted videos on TikTok about life in the town of Tonka (Timbuktu region) and often expressed support for the Malian army, appearing in military uniforms.
Kidnapping and Execution
Mariam was kidnapped on November 6 during a live broadcast from a city fair. Several armed men pulled her from the crowd and took her away on a motorcycle.
The next day, she was publicly shot in Independence Square in Tonka.
The girl's brother stated that he was forced to witness the execution among the gathered residents. According to him, the militants accused his sister of "providing information about the movements" of jihadists to the Malian army.
Reaction and Consequences
A security forces representative described the incident as a "barbaric act," noting that extremists are trying to intimidate the population and prevent public support for government troops.
Local authorities also confirmed the execution and condemned it as a "shameful crime against civilians."
Crisis in the Country
Responsibility for the attack is attributed to the group "Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin" (JNIM) - an Al-Qaeda affiliate in West Africa.
In recent weeks, militants have imposed a fuel blockade, forcing the government to close schools and suspend harvests in several regions of the country.
President Assimi Goita appealed to citizens to reduce travel and promised to "do everything possible to restore fuel supplies." However, experts believe this is an acknowledgment of the failure of the military junta that came to power after the coups in 2020 and 2021.
International Reaction
Due to the worsening situation, the United States and the United Kingdom began evacuating non-essential personnel from the country at the end of October. France and several other embassies are also advising their citizens to leave Mali.
Analysts note that the army is concentrating around the capital Bamako, losing control over the rest of the territory, while public trust in the military regime is rapidly declining.
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