Ibrahim IV Lefiami

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Ibrahim IV Lefiami, also known as Ibrahim Lefiami, was the second-to-last mai (king) of the Kanem–Bornu Empire, ruling from 1817 to 1846. For most of his reign he served as a ceremonial puppet under the powerful rulers Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi and later Umar Kura. He tried twice to restore real royal power—first in 1837 and again in 1846—but both attempts failed and he was killed in the second one. His son Ali V Minargema briefly took over after him, but the office of mai was abolished soon after.

Family and background: Ibrahim was the son of mai Ahmad Alimi and Lefiya, which is why he was called Lefiami. He was the younger brother of his predecessor, Dunama IX Lefiami. In the early 1800s, Dunama had asked the religious and military leader al-Kanemi for help against the Fula jihads. Al-Kanemi gained power and became the ruler (the shehu), while remaining in charge rather than taking the title of king. Dunama later plotted to invite the Bagirmi to invade and kill al-Kanemi, but the plan backfired and Dunama was killed, leaving al-Kanemi with real control. He installed Ibrahim as a largely ceremonial ruler at Kafela.

The 1837 event: When al-Kanemi died in 1837, his son Umar Kura became the new ruler. Ibrahim hoped to win back real power. He went to Kukawa to demand Umar’s allegiance, but Umar refused and reduced Ibrahim’s subsidy, signaling Ibrahim’s lack of real influence.

The 1846 event and end of the office: In 1846, Ibrahim tried again to seize power by inviting the Wadai army to invade Bornu in his name, while Umar Kura’s forces were away. Umar discovered the plan, imprisoned Ibrahim, and prepared to fight the invaders. The Wadai army crossed a river ford near Kousséri and defeated Umar’s forces. Umar retreated to Kukawa and executed Ibrahim. The Wadai forces briefly captured Kukawa and installed Ibrahim’s son Ali V Minargema as mai, but Umar and his ally Abd ar-Rahman soon returned and defeated Ali. After this, the office of mai was abolished.