The brutal killing of Mariam Cissé, a popular TikToker known for her support of Mali’s army, has sent shockwaves across the country.

Cissé, in her 20s and with over 100,000 followers, was seized while live-streaming from a market and later executed in her hometown of Tonka by suspected jihadists.

According to reports from AFP and RFI, the militants accused her of informing the military about their movements. Her brother, who witnessed the execution at Independence Square, said she was shot after being transported by motorbike over the weekend. A security source confirmed she was targeted for allegedly filming jihadists for the army.

Cissé’s videos often featured her in military attire, with captions like “Vive Mali” (Long Live Mali), portraying pride in her community and the armed forces. State TV described her as a young woman who simply wanted to uplift her town and support national defense.

Her death comes amid a worsening crisis in Mali, where jihadist groups have imposed a fuel blockade on the capital, Bamako, disrupting daily life and forcing the closure of schools and universities. The African Union expressed “deep concern” over the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions.

AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf condemned the attack and pledged support for Mali and other Sahel nations. Meanwhile, the French foreign ministry has advised its citizens to leave Mali urgently due to escalating violence.

The Malian government, which came to power via a military coup in 2021, has struggled to contain the insurgency, with large swathes of the north and east remaining outside state control. Cissé’s killing underscores the risks faced by civilians who publicly support the military in contested regions.

Her legacy now stands as a symbol of courage and the perilous intersection of digital activism and armed conflict in Mali.