The Man Who Would Be Baliph

The article discusses the invasion of the West African Songhay Empire by Moroccan ruler and Sa'di sultan Mulay Ahmad al-Mansur. The author comments that Al-Mansur had hoped to unify Muslim countries in Africa under the caliphate and declare himself caliph to challenge the power of the Ottoman Empire. He discusses speculation that al-Mansur intended to gain control of the West African gold trade. The rise of the Sa'di in Morocco and al-Mansur's resistance to control of Morocco by Spain, Portugal and the Ottoman Empire are noted. Records of the invasion by Moroccan historian 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Fishtali are also noted.