Sonni Ali, also known as Sunni Ali Ber or "Sunni Ali", was born Ali Kolon.

He reigns from about 1464 to 1492.

Sunni Ali is the first king of the Songhai Empire, located in west Africa and the fifteenth ruler of the Sonni dynasty.

Under Sunni Ali's infantry and cavalry, many cities are captured and fortified, such as Timbuktu (captured in 1468) and Djenné (captured in 1475).

Sonni conducts a repressive policy against the scholars of Timbuktu, especially those of the Sankore region who are associated with the Tuareg whom Ali has expelled to gain control of the town.