Decline of the Mali Empire

Timeline

1. 1485Mali imperial hinterland · MaliSince the late 14th century, the Mali mansa's authority had been steadily weakened by succession disputes and powerful regional governors; by the 1480s the central court could barely command the provinces, and former vassals declared independence or defected to Songhai.
2. 1485Timbuktu · MaliUnder Sunni Ali, the Songhai Empire had already taken commercial centers like Timbuktu and Jenne, shifting the trans-Saharan gold-salt trade eastward; Mali retained only nominal suzerainty while losing its economic lifeline and military deterrent.