Battle and Capture of Samory Touré at Guélémou

After a long pursuit through the Guinean forest, French columns led by Gouraud and Combes encircled Samory Touré and his last loyal followers near Guélémou. The last pitched combats opposed the founder of the Wassoulou Empire's guard against Senegalese tirailleurs. After stubborn resistance, Samory was captured with his close associates. This surrender marked the end of the last great West African resistance to French colonization.

After the fall of Sikasso, Samory, hunted for months, attempted to reach British Sierra Leone. The French encirclement maneuver, supported by local auxiliaries, neutralized his movements. Samory had lost most of his allies and bases. Guélémou was his last fortified camp.

Gouraud deployed his men in several converging columns, cutting all escape routes. The final assault began at dawn, preceded by mounted reconnaissance. After brief but intense gunfire, defenders, cornered, surrendered or were killed. Samory was taken prisoner and transferred to Kayes.

The capture of Samory Touré ended 16 years of resistance war in West Africa. His empire was dismantled; his close associates were deported. France could now freely organize colonial administration throughout the region from the Niger to Guinea. Samory would become an emblematic figure of African anti-colonialism.