TikTok Influencer Executed by Suspected Jihadists Over Pro-Army Posts in Mali

Mon Nov 10 2025 17:51:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The tragic death of Mariam Cissé, a young TikToker in Mali, highlights the dangerous climate for those expressing support for the army amidst a jihadist insurgency.

Mariam Cissé, a promising TikTok creator in Mali, was reportedly executed by suspected jihadists after sharing content supporting the military. Her arrest and subsequent assassination have raised alarms about the escalating violence against civilians in regions facing jihadist insurgencies. Mali is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a blockade that restricts essential supplies, resulting in widespread unrest and governmental challenges in addressing the ongoing turmoil.

A female TikToker accused of aiding Mali's army has been apprehended and executed by suspected jihadists. Mariam Cissé, in her 20s and boasting over 100,000 followers on TikTok, regularly uploaded content about her hometown in Tonka, located in the northern Timbuktu region, often showcasing her support for the army.

Her death has sent shockwaves throughout a nation grappling with a persistent jihadist insurgency since 2012. State television reported that her motivation was merely to promote her community and endorse the local army through her TikTok videos.

Mali currently faces a fuel blockade imposed by jihadist factions, severely disrupting daily life, prompting the African Union to express its “deep concern” over the worsening conditions.

Reports indicate that Cissé was captured during a live-streamed session in a nearby market. Her brother disclosed during an interview that jihadists accused her of alerting the Malian army to their movements.

Subsequently, she was transported to Tonka by motorbike and shot in the Independence Square while her brother witnessed the incident from the crowd. Security sources stated she was targeted due to allegations of filming jihadists for the Malian army. In some videos, Cissé donned military attire, with at least one post captioned ‘Vive Mali’ (Long Live Mali).

The news of her execution comes amid a humanitarian crisis as the jihadist blockade continues, significantly impacting education; schools and universities have been closed for weeks. The government has pledged to tackle the crisis, but the situation remains dire.

The ongoing fuel shortages in Mali, being a landlocked nation reliant on road transport for supplies from neighboring countries, have been exacerbated by attacks on tankers along major routes. The military, which took over in a coup in 2021, has struggled to maintain control amidst the rising toll of jihadist attacks, leaving large areas of the north and east in the hands of militant groups.

Mali's deteriorating situation has prompted international responses, including an advisory from the French foreign ministry urging its citizens to exit the country while commercial flights are still operational. The African Union has condemned the escalating violence, particularly against civilians, and emphasized its readiness to support Mali and neighboring Sahel states during this challenging period.