A popular Malian TikTok creator who publicly supported the country’s military authorities has been killed by armed men, according to officials in Bamako. The influencer, whose videos regularly praised the junta and condemned armed groups operating in the region, was attacked on Sunday night in central Mali, adding a new layer of tension to an already fragile security landscape.

Authorities said the killing appeared to be targeted and connected to his online content, which had gained traction among pro-junta supporters. His posts often echoed the government’s calls for national mobilisation and denounced rebel movements that have intensified operations as the military consolidates political power.

The killing comes as Mali struggles with overlapping crises - an entrenched insurgency, strained relations with Western partners, and growing reliance on regional alliances and private military contractors. Social media has become an increasingly powerful battleground, where influencers shape public opinion about the military’s controversial strategies and its break with France and the UN.

Officials say the attack highlights how digital activism is colliding with real-world risks in conflict zones. Pro-military voices online have surged in recent years, but they have also faced threats from armed groups opposed to the junta’s rule. Security experts warn that high-profile online support for the military can make creators vulnerable to violent retaliation.

For Mali’s authorities, the incident underscores the difficulty of containing insecurity even in areas nominally under state control. The government condemned the killing and promised an investigation, though similar cases in recent years have rarely led to arrests.

As Mali heads into another period of political unpredictability, the death of a young digital voice who championed the military is likely to deepen the climate of fear around public expression. In a country where online platforms have become extensions of the political fight, this attack signals just how dangerous that space has become.