Report Card
Letter Grade
Leadership Ability
B+
Accomplishments/Strengths
A
Areas of Concern
C-
Global Implications
B+
Commentary
Sunni Ali reigned for an impressive 28 years from 1464 to 1492 of the great Songhai Empire, located in
west Africa. He was able to keep his people under control by using effective techniques. He treated the
people under his reign with sincerity and justice. Also, he is considered an “outward Muslim.” This is
meaning that he basically followed the religion, which meant he followed the sincere rules of Islam.
Sunni Ali used strategic military strategies to expand the borders on Songhai. He conquered the cities
of Timbuktu and Jenne. However, he conducted a repressive policy against the scholars of these cities,
especially those who were associated with the Taureg (Nomadic people of the Sahara). This decrease
the amount of learning under his reign. Although the learning faltered during his reign, his
militaristic ruling and Muslim beliefs mad him an all round good leader.
The majority of Sunni Ali’s accomplishments were obtained through militarist conquests. He
expanded his nation’s borders tremendously. He expanded them so far that they surpassed that of
Mali and the previous empire Ghana. During his conquests he conquered the major trading centers of
Timbuktu and Jenne. These cities, along the Niger river played a key role in the development and
trading of the Songhai Empire. Sunni Ali was able to conquer such feats because of his well trained
cavalry and infantry. Once he controlled a large portion of the Niger river, he set up fleets on boats
and men to protect the river, to ensure that trade would thrive. The main accomplishments under
Sunni Ali’s reign were the expansion of the Songhai borders and the increase of trade.
When Sunni Ali depleted the scholars from the once learning centers of Africa, Learning greatly
decreased. However, this is not his only flaw in his rule. He was unable to balance the Muslim urban
centers with the rural non-Muslim areas. These two groups often battle over religious issues. Sunni Ali
was never able to control this. Also, he was sometimes cruel to his official and was often called short
tempered and vicious. There are accounts of him executing his advisors for making poor decisions in
battle and ruling his empire.
The spread of the Songhai Empires’ borders has greatly increased its trade. Since it controlled most of
the Niger river it dominated most of the west African trade. This trade included products such as
Ivory, gold, salts and slaves. These luxury items were in high demand all over the world, so it became a
popular destination for global travelers, especially from Europe. However, as Europeans began to
obtain gold from the Americas, the gold production of Songhai decrease but the need for slaves went
way up. Because Sunni Ali controlled such a large portion of west Africa, he dominated the trade of
luxury goods and slaves which in turn increase Songhai connection to the entire world.