Muhammad V of Bornu

Muhammad V was mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in the mid-to-late 15th century, ruling approximately 1467–1470. Muhammad ruled during the "Era of Instability", a chaotic period of internal and external conflict in the empire.

Life

Muhammad's father was also named Muhammad but it is not clear which Muhammad is meant in the sources. Cohen identified Muhammad's father as mai Muhammad IV. Muhammad IV was a Dawudid but the Dawudid branch of the imperial family had been defeated and driven from the empire by the Idrisid prince Ali Gaji some years prior. Lange instead believed Muhammad V to have been a son of mai Muhammad III, who Lange interpreted as an Idrisid.
Muhammad became mai in the mid-15th century, during a time when Ali Gaji acted as a kingmaker in the empire. Before becoming mai, Muhammad had been engaged in civil conflict against his predecessor, Umar [II of Bornu|Umar II], and gradually gained the upper hand over the course of about a year. Muhammad probably killed Umar. Muhammad was remembered as a powerful and courageous ruler, and a "warlike monarch", though few details of his reign are recorded.
Muhammad ruled for three or five years and was succeeded as mai by Ali Gaji. The site of Muhammad's death is variously recorded as "Breda", "Bérbéra", or the "country of the Berbers", terms that refer to the Sahara.