A respected Quranic teacher in Tonka, Abdoul Salam Maïga, was forcibly taken from a traditional gathering spot near the local market by armed JNIM militants. Minutes later, he was executed in public after being blindfolded. While some speculate his death may relate to religious disputes, the prevailing belief among residents points to his perceived ties with Mali’s armed forces.

The killing follows a pattern of targeted violence in the region. In November, TikTok influencer Mariam Cissé was publicly executed for her visible support of Malian soldiers. Just weeks ago, Amadou Baby, a youth organization leader in Tonka, was gunned down in broad daylight—accused of collaborating with security forces despite the absence of military installations in the area.

Residents describe a climate of fear gripping Tonka and surrounding communities like Diré, Goundam, and Tombouctou. ‘People are horrified by these executions,’ shared a local witness. ‘The entire region is in turmoil.’