Louis Archinard

In January 1887, Colonel Archinard's French column besieged the fortified town of Sikasso, capital of Kénédougou. Despite several assaults supported by artillery, King Tieba Traoré's defenses held. The French army, decimated by disease and counterattacks, had to lift the siege after three weeks of fighting. Sikasso became a symbol of African resistance to colonial conquest.

The Battle of Nyamina pitted a French column commanded by Colonel Archinard against forces of Samory Touré and his local allies seeking to defend the Upper Niger valley. After a difficult march through bush and harassment attacks, the French engaged in pitched combat near the fortified village of Nyamina. Artillery and tirailleur discipline repulsed several assaults; a French counterattack outflanked enemy positions, forcing Samory to withdraw.

The siege of Sikasso, lasting more than two weeks, marked the final resistance of the Kingdom of Kénédougou to French colonization. Archinard's column encircled the town and subjected fortifications to intense artillery bombardment. After several deadly assaults, the garrison and inhabitants were overwhelmed. Babemba Traoré, refusing surrender, committed suicide. The town was sacked and thousands of inhabitants were deported.