Answer the following question: Information:  - The Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara to the north and the Sudanian Savanna (historically known as the Sudan region) to the south. Having a semi-arid climate, it stretches across the south-central latitudes of Northern Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea. The Arabic word "" literally means "shore, coast", while the word Sahara is derived from the Arabic word for ocean. Together, these names evoke an image of the Sahel's vegetation as a coastline on the Sahara's ocean of sand.  - Djenné (also Djénné, Jenné and Jenne) is a town and an urban commune in the Inland Niger Delta region of central Mali. The town is the administrative centre of the Djenné Cercle, one of the eight subdivisions of the Mopti Region. The commune includes ten of the surrounding villages and in 2009 had a population of 32,944.  - The Songhai Empire (also transliterated as Songhay) was a state that dominated the western Sahel in the 15th and 16th century. At its peak, it was one of the largest states in African history. The state is known by its historiographical name, derived from its leading ethnic group and ruling elite, the Songhai. Sonni Ali established Gao as the capital of the empire, although a Songhai state had existed in and around Gao since the 11th century. Other important cities in the empire were Timbuktu and Djenné, conquered in 1468 and 1475 respectively, where urban-centered trade flourished. Initially, the empire was ruled by the Sonni dynasty (1493), but it was later replaced by the Askiya dynasty (14931591).  - Timbuktu (pron.: ), also spelled as Tinbuktu, Timbuctoo and Timbuktoo (; Koyra Chiini: "Tumbutu"), is a historical and still-inhabited city in the West African nation of Mali, situated north of the River Niger on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The town is the capital of the Timbuktu Region, one of the eight administrative regions of Mali. It had a population of 54,453 in the 2009 census.  - Askia Mohammad Benkan , also Askiya Muhammad Bonkana , was the 3rd ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1531 to April 1537 . Mohammad Benkan assumed power after Askiya Musa ( son of Askia Mohammad I ) was assassinated . Musa was assassinated in the village of Mansur on Wed 24 April 1531 , and on that same day , Mohammad Benkan became Askia . Shocked by Musa 's ruthless actions to eliminate rivals , his brothers conspired together and killed him . It was during this chaos that Benkan , the Kurmina - fari ( the Kurmina Governor ) and son of Umar Komadiakha ( brother of Askia Mohammad ) , seized control of the throne despite opposition from Alu ( one of the son 's of Askia Mohammad ) and took the position of Askia . To secure his position Benkan then banished Askia Mohammad , his paternal uncle to the island of Kangaba , in the River Niger to the west of Gao . He appointed his brother Uthman to his former position as Kurmina - fari . The Tarikh al - Sudan contains this description of his court : Askiya Muhammad Bonkana furbished the court splendidly , enlarging it , adorning it , and embellishing it with more courtiers than ever before . He supplied sumptuous garments , different types of musical instruments , and male and female singers . He gave out abundant largesse and benefactions . During his reign divine favours were bestowed , doors were opened , and blessings poured forth . Benkan tried to reverse his uncle 's policy of relying on the towns , preferring instead to gather support from the peasants . However after a series of military failures , most notably suffering a terrible defeat at the hands of Muhammadu Kanta , the Sarkin of Kebbi . Muhammad Benkan was himself deposed in 1537 , and was succeeded by Askiya Ismail son of Askiya al - hajj Muhammad . Muhammad Bonkana went blind before he died in around 1559 . Kanta was once the Leka - fari and a Barde , one of the great captains of Askia Mohammed . However Kanta had revolted against Askia and with his followers moved into the territory of the Kebbawa...  - Gao is a city in Mali and the capital of the Gao Region. The city is located on the River Niger, east-southeast of Timbuktu on the left bank at the junction with the Tilemsi valley.    Given the information above, choose from the list below the object entity that exhibits the relation 'country of citizenship' with the subject 'askia mohammad benkan'.  Choices: - mali  - niger  - sudan
Answer:
mali