Mali: nouvel assassinat ciblé par les jihadistes du Jnim à Tonka, dans la région de Tombouctou

In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community of Tonka, located in Mali’s Tombouctou region, Abdoul Salam Maïga, a respected Quranic teacher at a local medersa, was publicly executed by armed jihadists from the Jnim group. The grim event unfolded as Maïga was engaged in a peaceful discussion with friends at a traditional gathering spot, a “grin,” near the bustling market. Suddenly, Jnim militants appeared, ordering him to accompany them. A short while later, they reappeared with Maïga, his eyes blindfolded, and proceeded to execute him by gunfire in front of the horrified public.

The motives behind this brutal assassination remain a subject of intense speculation. Some suggest the killing might stem from religious disagreements, with one individual proposing, “Perhaps he refused to collaborate with them.” However, the prevailing sentiment among most individuals interviewed points to Maïga’s alleged close ties with the Malian army as the primary reason for his targeted killing by the Jnim.

This latest incident adds to a disturbing pattern of violence in Tonka and across Mali. Just last November, the entire nation mourned the public execution of Mariam Cissé, a young TikTok user known for openly expressing her support for Malian soldiers. The violence continued into late March when Amadou Baby, a leader of a youth organization within the Tonka commune, was gunned down in the street. His association was suspected by jihadists of providing intelligence to Malian forces, despite observations that Tonka itself does not host a military camp.

“From Tonka to Diré, Goundam, or Tombouctou, people are deeply shaken by these assassinations,” shared a local resident, highlighting the profound emotional impact these events are having throughout the region.