Internal Conflicts:
1. Succession Struggles: The Songhai Empire faced leadership struggles and succession disputes, weakening its internal unity.
2. Revolts: Various subject states and ethnic groups within the empire rebelled against Songhai's rule.
3. Internal Divisions: Conflicts arose between different factions and clans within the ruling class, leading to political instability.
External Invasions:
1. Moroccan Invasion: The Songhai Empire suffered a major defeat in 1591 when the Moroccan Saadi dynasty invaded and seized control of key regions, including Timbuktu and Gao.
2. Lack of Military Preparedness: Songhai's military was unprepared for the Moroccan invasion due to years of internal conflicts and decentralized military structures.
3. Technological Superiority: The Moroccans had superior weaponry, including firearms, which gave them an advantage over Songhai's forces.
Economic Challenges:
1. Decline of Trade: The Songhai Empire relied heavily on trans-Saharan trade, but trade routes were disrupted by the Moroccan invasion and internal conflicts.
2. Loss of Territories: The loss of key trading centers, such as Timbuktu and Gao, further weakened Songhai's economy.
3. Economic Mismanagement: Financial mismanagement and corruption within the empire contributed to its economic decline.
Impact:
The fall of the Songhai Empire marked the end of a prosperous and influential period in West African history. The decline of the empire had far-reaching consequences, including the fragmentation of the region, the disruption of trade networks, and the rise of smaller, decentralized states.