Answer: In 1375, when Mali was starting to get weak, the Songhai people rebelled and formed the next Empire in West Africa. As the Songhai Empire expanded, it took over many of the territories and cities that had belonged to the Mali Empire. As were the two empires before it, Songhai was a trading empire. The empire traded with the Berbers from Morocco who were Muslims like they were. The trade routes across the Sahara Desert were largely dominated by the Songhai Empire. Sunni Ali Ber was a mighty commander of the army who had great victories in capturing major, important cities. He transformed Gao and became the first great ruler of the Songhai Empire. Under his rule, Songhai became a strong, unified empire. One of his great accomplishments was taking the city of Timbuktu with its world famous University of Sankore Mosque. After Sunni Ali died in 1492, his son Sonni Baru took over the throne. Muhammad liked the title and took it as his own. Muhammad concentrated on establishing strict Muslim rule throughout the empire. After Askia Muhammad died in 1528, Songhai had peace and prosperity under many other emperors. Trade in large cities like Gao, Timbuktu, and Djenne flourished.