Editing Mali Empire (section)

===Decline===
The late 14th century again saw a series of short reigns, often ending in palace coups. While maintaining a firm grip in the south and west, and even expanding in some areas, imperial control of their northernmost provinces was slipping, as attested by the [[Mossi Kingdoms|Mossi]] raids on Macina.<ref name=peoplesand/><ref name=recherches/> In 1433–1434, the Empire lost control of Timbuktu to the Tuareg, led by Akil Ag-Amalwal.{{sfn|Hunwick|1999|pp=12,30}}{{sfn|Levtzion|1973|p=81}} Three years later, Oualata also fell into their hands.<ref name=peoplesand/> The rising [[Songhai Empire]] conquered [[Méma|Mema]], one of Mali's oldest possessions, in 1465. It then seized Timbuktu from the Tuareg in 1468 under [[Sonni Ali|Sunni Ali Ber]].<ref name=peoplesand/> In 1477, the [[Mossi Kingdoms|Mossi]] emperor Naba Nasséré made yet another raid into Macina, this time conquering it and the old province of BaGhana ([[Ghana Empire|Wagadou]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/armies/Variants/mossi.html |title=Mossi (1250–1575 AD) – DBA 2.0 Variant Army List |publisher=Fanaticus.org |date=2006-08-21 |access-date=2009-09-16 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802070900/http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/armies/Variants/mossi.html |archive-date=2 August 2009}}</ref>{{bsn|reason=This is about a wargame|date=October 2024}}

In an attempt to stem the tide, Mansa Mahmud Keita II opened diplomatic relations with [[Portugal]], receiving the envoys Pêro d'Évora and Gonçalo Enes in 1487.<ref name=recherches/> In 1493 he sent another envoy proposing an alliance against the threat of [[Tenguella]], but this came to nothing.{{sfn|Wilkinson|1994|p=52}} Songhai forces under the command of [[Askia Muhammad I]] defeated the Mali general Fati Quali Keita in 1502 and seized the province of Diafunu.<ref name=peoplesand/> In 1514, the [[Denianke Dynasty|Denianke dynasty]] was established in Tekrour and it was not long before the new kingdom of [[Great Fulo]] was warring against Mali's remaining provinces.<ref name="African History A Closer Look at Colonies, Countries, and Wars; Kelly Mass">{{cite book |first1=Kelly |last1=Mass|author-link= Kelly Mass |title=African History A Closer Look at Colonies, Countries, and Wars |date=December 9, 2023 |publisher=Efalon Acies |isbn=9791222482699 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oHLoEAAAQBAJ |access-date=23 December 2023 |language=En |quote=Denianke dynasty was established at Tekrour in 1514, leading to war with Mali's surviving regions by Great Fulo's new kingdom.}}</ref>

[[File:WestAfrica1530.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Mali Empire and surrounding states, {{Circa}} 1530]]

In 1544 or 1545,{{efn|952 AH}} a Songhai force led by ''[[kanfari]]'' [[Askia Daoud|Dawud]], who later succeeded his brother [[Askia Ishaq I|Askia Ishaq]] as ruler of the Songhai Empire, sacked the capital of Mali and purportedly used the royal palace as a latrine.{{sfn|Gomez|2018|p=331}} However, the Songhai did not maintain their hold on the Malian capital.{{sfn|Person|1981|p=618}}

Mali's fortunes seem to have improved in the second half of the 16th century. Around 1550, Mali attacked [[Bighu]] in an effort to regain access to its gold.{{sfn|Wilks|1982|p=470}} Songhai authority over [[Bendugu (province)|Bendugu]] and [[Kala (province)|Kala]] declined by 1571, and Mali may have been able to reassert some authority over them.{{sfn|Person|1981|p=618}} The breakup of the [[Wolof Empire]] allowed Mali to reassert authority over some of its former subjects on the north bank of the Gambia, such as [[Kingdom of Wuli|Wuli]], by 1576.{{sfn|Person|1981|p=621}}