[1] Songhai forces under the command of Askia Muhammad I defeated the Malian general Fati Quali in 1502 and seized the province of Diafunu.
It isn't long before the new kingdom of Great Fulo is warring against Mali's remaining provinces.
[citation needed] In 1534, Mahmud III received a Portuguese envoy to the Mali court by the name of Peros Fernandes, just as his grandfather had done.
The emperor asked for military support against the rising power of the Denianke dynasty of Futa Toro, who were attacking the critical gold-producing region of Bambouk.
[5] Mahmud III may have still been the ruling Mansa in 1545 when the Songhai sacked and briefly occupied the imperial capital.