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Mombasa–Portuguese Conflict
In the late 1520s, Portugal and Mombasa, a major East African trading port, clashed militarily;…
Timeline
- 1527–1528Mombasa · KenyaThe Sultan of Mombasa stopped paying tribute to Portugal and supported raids against pro-Portuguese city-states such as Malindi. Portuguese officials in East Africa demanded the sultan resume submission, and diplomatic negotiations broke down.
- 1528Mombasa Harbor · MombasaPortuguese fleet commander Nuno da Cunha led his fleet to the waters off Mombasa and bombarded the harbor and fort. The Mombasa defenders resisted but were outgunned by the Portuguese shipboard artillery, and the city's outer defenses were breached.
- 1528–1529Old Mombasa · KenyaPortuguese troops entered old Mombasa, looting warehouses and mosques and burning some buildings to punish the resistance. After a short occupation the Portuguese withdrew; Mombasa regained autonomy but was badly weakened and forced to resume paying tribute.
Sources
- Mombasa https://www.britannica.com/place/Mombasa
- The Portuguese in East Africa — Eric Axelson