Moroccan Invasion of the Songhai Empire

Background. The Songhai Empire, dominant in Western Africa for over a century, was weakened by succession conflicts following the death of Askia Al-Hajj in 1586. Meanwhile, the Saadi Dynasty of Morocco, at the height of its power after repelling a Portuguese invasion in 1578, sought new resources to address economic deficits.

The Invasion. Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, believing the Songhai wealth derived from gold mines, dispatched an army of 4,000 men under Judar Pasha in October 1590. Judar, a Spanish eunuch captured as a child, led the force across the Sahara to exploit the internal strife within the Songhai Empire.

Aftermath. The looting of Gao, Timbuktu, and Djenné marked the end of the Songhai Empire as an effective regional force. However, Morocco struggled to assert firm control due to the vastness of the territory and logistical challenges, leading to a decade of sporadic fighting.