Editing Waalo (section)

===A Regional Power===
In another attempt to further strengthen their economic position in the Senegal valley, in 1724 the French allied with Maalixuri, the lord of [[Bethio]], to pressure the ''Brak'' Yerim Mbyanik and the [[Emirate of Trarza]] into concessions. His attempt at secession from Waalo failed when the French company stopped their support. By 1734 Yerim Mbyanik had the most powerful army in the region.{{sfn|Barry|1992|p=280}} His rule and that of his two successors, Njaam Aram Bakar and Naatago Aram, was the apogee of Waalo-Waalo power.

Through the middle decades of the 18th century, Waalo exerted hegemony over the entire Senegal estuary and dominated Cayor as well. When the English took Saint-Louis in 1758 they found that the ''Brak'' had total control over river trade. Naatago repeatedly demanded increases in customs payments and slave prices, and blockaded the island when necessary.{{sfn|Barry|1992|p=281}} In 1762 he appropriated payments from Cayor intended for Saint-Louis, and two years later invaded.{{sfn|Webb|1995|p=42}}