Some background: Samori Toure was the founder of the Wassoulou Empire who resisted French colonial rule from 1882 to 1898.
"Samori developed a powerful, virtually professional army equipped with European arms and trained in modern methods of warfare. The army was divided into two flanks, the infantry or sofa, with 30,000 to 35,000 men, and the cavalry or sere
of 3,000 men. Each wing was further subdivided into permanent units,
fostering camaraderie among members and loyalty to both the local
leaders and Samori himself.
In 1882, at the height of the Mandinka Empire, the French found their excuse. Samori Ture refused to comply with their order to withdraw from an important market center, Kenyeran, which his
army had blockaded.
Between 1882 and 1885, Samori Ture fought the French, ending with a treaty in 1886 and then again in 1887.
In 1888, he took up arms again when the French reneged on the treaty by attempting to foster rebellion within the empire.
In 1890, he reorganized the army and concluded a treaty with the British in Sierra Leone, where he obtained modern weapons. He now stressed
defense and employed guerilla tactics.
In 1891, with his improved weaponry and reorganized army, he defeated the French.
In 1892, French forces overran the major centers of the Mandinka empire, leaving death and destruction in their wake.
In 1893, deciding that the east was the only direction for expansion of the Mandinka empire, Samori moved the capital from Bisandougou to
Dabakala.
In 1894, the final push by the French brought together all their troops in the Western Sudan to concentrate on Samori's remaining territories. Samori's army fought valiantly but was
no match for the power of the French at full strength.
In 1898, Samori, forced to fight a total war against innumerable odds, was captured and exiled to Gabon, where he died two years later." Source
of 3,000 men. Each wing was further subdivided into permanent units,
fostering camaraderie among members and loyalty to both the local
leaders and Samori himself.
In 1882, at the height of the Mandinka Empire, the French found their excuse. Samori Ture refused to comply with their order to withdraw from an important market center, Kenyeran, which his
army had blockaded.
Between 1882 and 1885, Samori Ture fought the French, ending with a treaty in 1886 and then again in 1887.
In 1888, he took up arms again when the French reneged on the treaty by attempting to foster rebellion within the empire.
In 1890, he reorganized the army and concluded a treaty with the British in Sierra Leone, where he obtained modern weapons. He now stressed
defense and employed guerilla tactics.
In 1891, with his improved weaponry and reorganized army, he defeated the French.
In 1892, French forces overran the major centers of the Mandinka empire, leaving death and destruction in their wake.
In 1893, deciding that the east was the only direction for expansion of the Mandinka empire, Samori moved the capital from Bisandougou to
Dabakala.
In 1894, the final push by the French brought together all their troops in the Western Sudan to concentrate on Samori's remaining territories. Samori's army fought valiantly but was
no match for the power of the French at full strength.
In 1898, Samori, forced to fight a total war against innumerable odds, was captured and exiled to Gabon, where he died two years later." Source
While in school, I learnt about the 'great jihads of West Africa starting from Usman dan Fodio. The most interesting of these 'jihads'was the one lead by Samori Toure against the colonising French. I
personally believe Samori Toure is amazing because of this technique he employed. While I cannot remember what this technique was called, it basically involved evacuating and burning villages so that when the French got to them there would be absolutely nothing useful to them there which would weaken their supplies and slow them down. Turns out this strategy is called scorched earth policy. I remember back then how everyone thought he was cool because of how Samori evaded the French army.
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