Uli II

Who is Uli II?

Mansa Uli II, also known as Gbèré, was the twentieth mansa of the Mali Empire. He ruled over the realm during the latter half of the 15th century.

According to the oral traditions preserved in Dioma, Gbèré was the youngest of two brothers from Niani who liberated Dioma from a Fula invasion. Gbèré is a Mandinka name meaning "red" in reference to one's skin tone. After this success, his brother was crowned mansa. Gbèré ascended to the throne under the royal name Uli II following his brother's death.