What led to the downfall of the west African empire of songhai?

The downfall of the Songhai Empire was primarily due to a combination of internal strife, economic difficulties, and external pressures. Following the death of its ruler, Askia Muhammad, succession disputes weakened central authority and led to civil unrest. Additionally, the empire faced military challenges from Morocco, which launched invasions to control the lucrative trans-Saharan trade routes. These factors culminated in the empire's fragmentation and eventual collapse by the late 16th century.