<P> The first three successors to Mari Djata / Sundiata Keita all claimed it by blood right or something similar . This twenty - five year period saw large gains for the mansa and the beginning of fierce internal rivalries that nearly ended the burgeoning empire . </P> <P> After Sundiata's death in 1255, custom dictated that his son ascend the throne, assuming he was of age . However, Yérélinkon was a minor following his father's death . Manding Bory Keita, Sundiata's half - brother and kankoro - sigui (vizier), should have been crowned according to the Kouroukan Fouga . Instead, Mari Djata's son seized the throne and was crowned Mansa Ouali Keita (also spelt "Wali" or "Ali"). </P> <P> Mansa Ouali Keita proved to be an efficient emperor, adding more lands to the empire, including the Gambian provinces of Bati and Casa . He also conquered the gold producing provinces of Bambuk and Bondou . The central province of Konkodougou was established . The Songhai kingdom of Gao also seems to have been subjugated for the first of many times around this period . </P> <P> Aside from military conquest, Ouali is also credited with agricultural reforms throughout the empire putting many soldiers to work as farmers in the newly acquired Gambian provinces . Just prior to his death in 1270, Ouali went on the hajj to Mecca during the reign of Mamluk Sultan Baibars, according to Ibn Khaldun . This helped in strengthening ties with North Africa and Muslim merchants . </P>

The mali empire of west africa was known far and wide