Sonni Ali (1464-1492)
Sonni Ali was the first Emperor of the Songhai. When the Mali empire weakened, he took advantage and led his infantry and cavalry to victory, effectively conquering major centers for commerce and culture like Timbuktu while simultaneously builing a fleet to protect the Niger rive which was so vital to their survival. During his reign, the Songhai empire had become the largest empire in the history of Africa. However, Ali's tactics were very violent; he conducted the murder of many residents who attempted to flee Timbuktu in 1468 during the raids and he also sought to exile Timbuktu's great scholars. After six years of fighting, the city of Djenne also succumbed to Sonni Ali's tactics, which included cutting off all resources to the city so that its citizens starved. Because the king of Djenne surrendered, the city was spared any major punishment and Sonni Ali went on to conquer the land between Djenne and Timbuktu and beyond.