The Principality of Bethio (also spelled Bequio, Bekio, Bitio, Bétio or Beetyo) was a small monarchy located for centuries along the lower Senegal River valley, on the border between modern Mauritania and Senegal, in the northeast of Biffeche.
The original, fertile farmlands of Bethio are in a region just east of the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary.
Maalixuri (Malichouri) (Malikhuri Diop ) played a vital intermiediary role between the Kingdom of Waalo and the French at Saint-Louis, Senegal, accumulating power and influence.
[1] He attempted to secede from Waalo in 1724 and burned Rosso, but was defeated and driven into exile in Cayor, where he died.
Today, Abdoulaye Diop, the current Prince Bethio, lives at Ross-Bethio where he is a Senegalese political leader.