Umar Kura

Umar bin Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi (Arabic: عمر الأول ابن محمد الأمين الكانمي), called Umar Kura, was the shehu of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in 1837–1853 and 1854–1881. The position of shehu ("sheikh") was established by Umar's father, Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi, and gradually surpassed the power and influence of the empire's original line of rulers, the mais. In 1846, Umar deposed the last mai and transitioned from being the empire's de facto ruler to its undisputed de jure ruler.

Although characterised as a weak and indecisive ruler, Umar's first reign saw several important developments, including improving relations with the Sokoto Caliphate, victories over Damagaram and Wadai, and an overall consolidation of the empire. Umar was deposed by his brother ʽAbd ar-Rahman in 1853 but was restored to the throne in 1854 due to ʽAbd ar-Rahman's tyrannical rule. Umar adopted a relatively passive foreign policy during his second reign; although some gains were made, there was an overall deterioration in Bornu's power and influence. Umar heavily relied on his courtiers, bestowing great influence and power on his favorites, such as his son Bukar Kura and the aristocrat Laminu Njitiya.