Career
He reigned from about 1464 to 1492. Sonni conducted a repressive policy against the scholars of Timbuktu, especially those of the Sankore region who were associated with the Tuareg whom Ali expelled to gain control of the town. During his reign, Songhai surpassed the height of the Mali Empire, engulfing areas under the Mali Empire (and the Ghana Empire before it).
His death, in late 1492, is a matter of conjecture.
According to the Tarikh al-Sudan, Ali drowned while crossing the Niger River. Askia succeeded to the throne.
According to the Tarikh al-Sudan it is believed that this action caused Sonni Ali"s sister to shout out "Askia!"(forceful one), at the news of this take over.
