Editing Saloum (section)

===Height===
After Mbegane Ndour's death he was succeeded by Giran O Ngap, a [[Guelwar]], but his reign was consumed by civil conflict first with local marabouts and finally with Ndour's nephew Latmenge Dielene, who poisoned him and took power. Rather than relying on a balance of alliances like his uncle had done, Latmenge Dielene built a military powerful state with clearly defined provinces run by families loyal to the Maad Saloum. He fought numerous wars to build up the power of the ruling aristocracy and impose central power and tribute on previously independent villages or statelets, including the kingdom of [[Niumi]].{{sfn|Fall|2022|p=291-4}}

By 1566, the process of unification and centralization was completed under [[Maad Saloum]] Lat Ciloor Bajaan, who extended Saloum's power to the north bank of the Gambia and made the [[Kingdom of Niani]] pay tribute.{{sfn|Fall|2022|p=305-314}} [[Upper Saloum|Two]] [[Lower Saloum|districts]] of [[The Gambia]] retain the name Saloum today. A major part of this expansion process was the welcoming of immigrant families fleeing conflict elsewhere in the region, granting them fiefs either to extend control over uninhabited areas or ensure the loyalty of conquered regions. At its height, four major trading ports on the Gambia river fell within Saloum's zone of influence: [[Barra, Gambia|Barra]] in [[Niumi]], Iambor in [[Upper Baddibu|Baddibu]], [[Kaur, The Gambia|Kaur]] in Saloum itself, and [[Kassang]] in Niani.{{sfn|Fall|2022|p=319}}

The most important offices of the state were monopolized by members of the [[Guelwar]] clan. But the multiplication of titles and the importance of trade on the Gambia gradually undermined central control.{{sfn|Fall|2022|p=356-7}}