Mali: jihadists execute religious teacher in Tonka amid growing unrest

A local religious scholar in Tonka, a key town in Mali’s Tombouctou region, was publicly executed by armed Islamist militants last week, according to community leaders and witnesses. The killing, which unfolded in broad daylight near the town’s marketplace, has intensified fears of escalating targeted violence in the area.

What witnesses report about the attack

The incident began when militants from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) forcibly took Abdoul Salam Maïga from a traditional gathering spot shortly after midday prayers. The religious teacher, known for running a local Quranic school, was blindfolded before being shot in a public execution. Residents describe the attackers as moving swiftly and deliberately, leaving little chance for intervention.

Motives behind the killing

Local accounts suggest two possible reasons for the attack. Some speculate it may have stemmed from religious disputes, with claims that the teacher refused to comply with militant demands. However, the majority of those interviewed believe his real offense was his perceived support for Malian security forces. This theory is reinforced by a string of recent killings in the area, including the November execution of a young TikTok influencer who publicly backed the junta.

Pattern of violence in northern Mali

Tonka, along with neighboring towns like Diré, Goundam, and Tombouctou, has become a flashpoint for Islamist aggression. Earlier this year, a youth leader in Tonka was gunned down in a similar daylight attack. While the militants accused him of aiding government troops, residents insist the town lacks any formal military presence. The ongoing instability has left communities on edge, with many fearing further reprisals.

“People here are terrified,” said a longtime resident. “Every new killing deepens the sense of dread across the entire region.”

The latest attack underscores the growing threat posed by armed groups in northern Mali, where civilians bear the brunt of the conflict’s escalation.