Abdoulaye Tandina, widely known in Tonka as Badou « Wayé »—meaning « the butcher » in Songhai—or simply as Abba by the children he treated with kindness, was a respected figure in the local community. His abrupt disappearance has left residents stunned and searching for answers.

On Monday evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, armed men approached him in the Tonka market where he sold his meat. They forced him away and executed him publicly along the roadside, shocking witnesses who had known him for decades.

Born into a long line of butchers from Tombouctou, Abdoulaye Tandina had called Tonka home for nearly 40 years, according to a close friend. He once held the title of town butcher leader, though sources say he no longer occupied that role. His daughter, who runs a shop in Tombouctou, remains « inconsolable » after losing her father, a relative shared.

Community left in the dark over motives behind the killing

This latest attack marks the fourth targeted killing in Tonka within eight months. Earlier this year, a youth association leader was gunned down in late March, followed by the murder of a Quranic teacher in June. Last November, the public execution of Mariam Cissé—a young TikTok influencer openly supportive of Mali’s armed forces—sparked national outrage.

Yet Abdoulaye Tandina’s relatives insist he « never displayed any political stance. » His family cannot fathom why the jihadists targeted him, describing his life as one of quiet service. One relative revealed a possible connection: Tandina was a cousin of the current head of Tombouctou’s special delegation, the interim municipal authority operating without elected officials. Still, this link appears insufficient to justify such a violent act.

Local authorities in Tombouctou and military officials have not issued any public statements regarding the incident.