Mansa Wali Keita

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Mansa Wali Keita (died c. 1270), also known as Yérélinkon, Ouli and Uli was the second mansa of the Mali Empire, following the death of his father, the legendary Sundiata Keita (c. 1255). Mansa Wali was the only true blood heir to Sundiata. The later mansas Ouati and Khalifa were the children of Sundjata's generals and were adopted by the emperor to be raised as members of the Keita clan.

According to oral sources Sundjata's brother, Manding Bory (alias Abubakari I), was supposed to ascend to the throne since Wali was but a minor at the time of his father's death. Instead, the ambitious prince seized the throne for himself and began a campaign of territorial expansion into West Africa.

Mansa Wali Keita also significantly increased the empire's agricultural production. A Muslim, he is known to have made the Hajj during his reign. Unlike his father, Mansa Wali had no blood heirs leaving the the throne to be fought over by his adopted brothers. During the ensuing power struggle, Ouati Keita siezed the throne sidelining Manding Bory again.