Gambiaj.com – (BAMAKO, Mali) – An audio message attributed to Amadou Koufa, a prominent leader of the jihadist alliance Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM, or Jnim in Arabic), has revealed that Thierno Amadou Hady Tall, a respected Malian Muslim leader, has died. The message, which circulated on social media on Monday, stated that Tall succumbed to injuries sustained during his kidnapping in late December, near the Mauritanian border.

Thierno Amadou Hady Tall, the Caliph General of Tijaniya—one of West Africa’s most significant Sufi orders known for its emphasis on non-violence and spiritual moderation—was abducted while traveling in a convoy returning from a religious gathering. According to the recording, he died en route to a location where he was to be interrogated.

A family member of Tall, speaking anonymously to AFP due to security concerns, corroborated the credibility of the message. The relative reported that Tall was injured during the abduction, which GSIM has claimed responsibility for.

The group, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, accused the influential cleric of collaborating with the Malian government—a regime that jihadist factions have actively opposed. GSIM is known for promoting a rigid interpretation of Islam, contrasting sharply with the Sufi traditions of moderation and peace championed by Tall.

Thierno Amadou Hady Tall was widely revered across the region for his spiritual leadership and efforts to promote harmony amidst the turbulence caused by extremist violence. His death underscores the ongoing threats posed by jihadist insurgencies in Mali, a nation grappling with insecurity and violence from both Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked groups.

The loss of such a pivotal religious figure has sparked widespread mourning and raises further concerns about the targeting of moderate voices in the region.