Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-28
Interesting Developments in Africa

Interesting Developments In Africa.
sAMUDu AND HIS MOVEMENTS.
TO the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
Much attention has been given on the west
coast Of Africa and in Europe and the United
States to the operations OF the people con-
trolled by Alimami Samudu, alias Ibiallima
Sanakodu, who, during the last seven years,
has conquered the country from the Upper
Niger to the maritime districts, near Sierra
Leone and Liberia.
Alimami Samudu Is represented to be the
son of Samfia Tene, who is still alive, and was
born in Sanakoele, capital of the Koniah dis
try lying between lat. and IL n. and long. 6
and : W. directly east of Monrovia. He Is a
Mandingo. about 40 years of age, and his fam
lily is superior to most of the families on his
land.
Samadu visited Sierra Leone as trader some
years ago, and has not received much educa.
ton; but being Of a studious and inQuiring ma
ture. he became Il pupil of learned priests of the
Mohammedan religion in his native place and,
rs 10 sat rsb and 6 ln
Koran, Samudu became Jealous son OF the
prophet, and gathered around him many ad-
mirers. Thinking it desirable to evince his be-
lief he called upon the Pagans in his own coun-
try and among the surrounding tribes tn re-
nounce their ways and adopt his religion. They
refused and from that time he began to enforce
his views at the point Of the sword.
Samudu's nrst rupture and battle was with
his sovereign Ibrahima sissi whom he he. took Oh
mains in durance vile, and Samud u is virtually
In his stead. In 1873 he attacked one town
after another in the region west of his country,
called Trong, annexing the whole. He next
passed still more to the northward, subdung
kolondda, portion of Manding and Hamarra,
and Baleya. Medina, Barbara, and Wasalu
were then added TO his conquered lands. After
long siege and many encounters with varied
success, Salnudu completely routed Abal, chief
OF the Hootaos, put him to death, and annexed
his country. solimah, district at hand, now
a ssS Of him ss 'a Was sne ssa
its fate Sealed. Manding gave in its adherence,
and Bouri, small but rich province
lection. Xttention Was now now turned to the ad-
Jacent country, and Balo and Gadamayo, parts
OF Fontah Territory, Wines, Firiyah ahd Sembe,
the northern portion of kouranko, passed
under his yoke. The Simlahs were next re-
Samudu is now keeping the roads open
Searches river, and Fort LOkole, and knitting
the tribes together under the banner Of Islam,
with the declared purpose OF bringing the In
terror into uninterrupted communication with
the civilization Of Europe.
Messengers and their attendants, about one
hundred In number, from the army Of Samu-
du, lately spent a month at SIERRA Leone, re-
turning to Samaya. The conquering military
force is composed of Mandingoes Some Of
tue republic. They have always shown friend
ship to the settlement of people Of the Book. I"
Liberia with its five hundred miles of coast and
two hundred miles interior, lies Immediately
south OF tue country over which Samudu now
holds sway, and is considered evep more fertile
than this district. These people nearly all read
Arabic, aud good opportunity now presents
Itself Of supplying them with Arabic scrip
lures.
siberia furnishes an outlet for a region OF
cou ntry not inferior Ia importance to that de-
scribed by Mr.. Stanley. The Upper Niger, like
the Upper Congo, has been long known for its
vast resources, II the American people would
put forth the same effort, there would be q won
derful commerce developed and an almost
boundless market opened for our surplus man.
utactures. Tribes would be brought into rela.
lions with the United States VINO live under
regular laws and settled political institutions,
able 10 give intelligent and effective co-opera-
tion TO any enlightened government In ali its
plans for the Improvement of trade aud Tor the
Regeneration OF u continent.