Mandingo Wars

The Mandingo Wars were a series of conflicts from 1883 to 1898 between France and the Wassoulou Empire of the Mandingo people led by Samory Touré. The French were ultimately triumphant and established dominance over the Ivory Coast.

Mandingo Wars
Part of the Scramble for Africa
Date1883–1898
(15 years)
Location
West Africa
Result

French victory

Belligerents

 France

 Wassoulou Empire
Commanders and leaders
Henri Gouraud Samori Ture
Strength
50,000 60,000 rifleman
5,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
Heavy Heavy

First Mandingo War (1883–1886)

Samory opposed French ambitions to build an empire in West Africa. He went to war with the French in 1883. French troops occupied Bamako on the Niger River and settled the war after a successful offensive in 1886. Samory was forced to accept the Niger as his frontier.

Second Mandingo War (1894–95)

Samory defeated the French, putting a temporary end to the protectorate over the Ivory Coast.

Third Mandingo War (1898)

Samory led an attack on the Kong Empire, a French ally, and burned down the capital city of Kong. Afterwards, the final and decisive struggle in the Mandingo Wars saw French forces victorious over Samory, who was captured and sent into exile.

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