Selema III

Selema III was mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in the early 14th century, ruling approximately 1322–1326.

Life

Selema was a son of mai Abdullah II Kademi. His mother was named Kime. Selema succeeded his father as mai in the early 14th century. His reign was a turbulent one, as Kanem came under attack from the Sao groups of southern Lake Chad. Selema's predecessors had greatly reduced the Sao, but had not succeeded in wiping them out or fully occupying their territory. The Sao rose against the empire in Selema's time and were apparently a great threat.' Later tradition attributed the initial success of the Sao to a curse placed upon Selema's father by an "afflicted mother".'
After a short reign, Selema was killed in battle against the Sao.' The site of Selema's death is recorded as Yúsub' or N'difu. He was succeeded as mai by his brother Kure I Gana.