At one point, this polity was occupied by the Mande-speaking Soninke, and rulers' successors were usually the son of the sister of the current ruler.  
At one point, this polity was occupied by the Mande-speaking Soninke, and rulers' successors were usually the son of the sister of the current ruler.  Its remnants were ruled by Soumaoro Kante, the son of Diara Kante who fronted the Kaniaga Occupation.   Besieged by Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar of the Almoravids, for ten points, identify this empire ruled by Tunka Manin that was based at Kumbi Saleh which lends its name to Kofi Annan's birth country.
At one point, this polity was occupied by the Mande-speaking Soninke, and rulers' successors were usually the son of the sister of the current ruler.  
{Ghana} Empire (Anyone can also get away with {Kingdom} of {Ghana})