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The Mandinka resistance:the course of Mandinka resistance

Answer Text:
The Mandinka Resistance.
The course of Mandinka resistance
-One of the great kings and fighters of African freedom was the great Samori Toure. Born about 1830 in Sanankaro, SE of Kankan in present-day Guinea.
-Displaying extraordinary military skill and prowess, he and his mother were subsequently released in 1858 after capture by a Dyula trader.
-Coupled with his experience as a Dyula trader, he built his army.
- Samori employed the triple thrust of persuasion, threat and war, in the same way as Sundiata did in Mali, to organized Malinké chiefdoms and expand the Mandinka state. Samori’s army was powerful, disciplined, professional,
and trained in modern day warfare. They were equipped with European guns.
-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.
- In 1881, Samori extended the empire to the east as far as Sikasso (in Mali) to the west, up to the Futa Djallon Empire. Meanwhile, the
-French were extending eastwards from Futa Djalon while the Mandinka were extending westwards towards Kenyeran trading centre, Next to the rich Bure Gold fields.
-His bid to obtain assistance from the British to deal with the French failed as the later were not willing to enter into conflict with the French. From 1882 to 1885, Samori fought the French and had to sign infamous Bisandugu treaty on 28th march 1886 and then 1887.