The Songhai empire had two great leaders. At first Songhai was under rule of Mali empire, but Sunni Ali rose up and conquered Mali. Sunni Ali was a great first leader. Sunni Ali cared for his people. He was a Militaristic leader, meaning he used war as a way o solve most problems. Under his rule Songhai reached a size of 1,400,000 square km. Askia Mohammad the first was he next second best leader after Sunni Ali's son. Askia made Songhai the largest country of western Africa in history.