Askia Daoud responded by sending a large quantity of gold as a gift.[12]With the invasion of the Morocco ruler, Ahmad al-Mansūr, over the dispute of the Taghaza's salt mines, the Songhai Empire started to face its gradual decline.[1] The salt and gold mines were the main trading forces led by the Muslim population within the empire. The fight over who controlled these mines continued between the Songhai Empire and the Moroccans.