Askia Muhammad I (ca. 1443 – 1538), born Muhammad Ture in Futa Tooro, later called Askia, also known as Askia the Great, was an emperor, military commander, and political reformer of the Songhai Empire in the late 15th century, the successor of Sunni Ali Ber. Askia Muhammad strengthened his country and made it the largest country in West Africa's history. At its peak under his … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: African Kings and Queens of the Past