In an audio message attributed to Amadou Kouffa, leader of the Katiba Macina, a key component of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the fate of the revered religious leader was alluded to. Koufa, in his message, accused Thierno Tall of collaborating with Malian forces and their allies, including Wagner Group mercenaries. He also claimed the Caliph had ordered reprisals against Muslims suspected of supporting the jihadists, citing undisclosed evidence.
While Koufa’s message remains ambiguous, it strongly suggests that Thierno Tall may have been killed. The mention of an “Islamic court” and the lack of any concrete evidence of his survival have fueled fears within the community.
Thierno Tall, the grandson of Cheick Oumar Tall, a renowned Sufi scholar, held a position of great respect within the Nioro region of the Sahel. His kidnapping has deeply shaken the local community and exacerbated the already tense security situation in the region.
The Nioro region has been significantly impacted by the rise of jihadist groups, which have disrupted traditional social structures and weakened the influence of religious leaders like Thierno Tall.
The Malian authorities have not yet commented on the situation, leaving a void of information and deepening concerns among the population.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA