Samori Ture. In their attempt to colonize the vast interior of the West African Soudan, the French attempted to make treaties with powerful leaders of African kingdoms. Some leaders were willing to negotiate with the French. Others were not. Samori Ture, who governed an area almost as large of France in what is today Guinea, Mali, and Cote D'Ivoire strongly resisted French colonial expansion. Samori's first contact with the French was in 1882. Over the next two decades, Samori battled against the French, at times defeating French forces, at times moving his people, government, and army in order to evade French control. It was not until 1900 that the French finally captured Samori. The French exiled Samori to Gabon in Central Africa.