This episode of our Resisting Empire series explores the life of Samory Touré, the 19th-century West African leader who built an empire across Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. Known as the “Napoleon of Africa,” he modernised his armies, outmanoeuvred the French for over sixteen years, and used scorched-earth tactics to hold back European expansion.

But Samory was more than a military strategist. He united diverse groups under Islam, pursued bold ambitions, and ruled with authoritarian discipline that left deep divides. Captured in 1898 and exiled to Gabon, his legacy remains complex — both celebrated as a symbol of resistance and remembered as a ruthless conqueror.

PSA: You Are African First Before Anything

REFERENCES

Samory - African History (journal article)

Samori Touré (1830-1900)

Quand les empires se faisaient et se défaisaient en Afrique de l’Ouest : le cas Samory Touré (in French)

West Africa the fight for survival

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Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  

We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent

Visit our website: itsacontinent.com

Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com

Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...

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