How did the Moroccan army defeat the Songhai empire in 1591?

The defeat of the Songhai empire by Moroccan forces in 1591 was primarily driven by the use of superior military technology.

Under the direction of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of Morocco, Moroccan forces invaded the empire following tensions over control of the salt deposits at Taghaza and key trans-Saharan trade routes. The decisive factor in the conflict was the Moroccan army's use of firearms, which allowed them to rout the Songhai forces during the battle at Tondibi and subsequently capture the major administrative and economic centers of Timbuktu and Gao.12

While the Songhai people attempted to resist through retaliatory guerrilla actions, these efforts were unable to restore the empire, and the region remained under Moroccan control for 40 years.12