Louis Faidherbe's arrival in Kayes signified a critical juncture in the conflict between French colonial forces and the resistance led by El Hajj Umar Tall. As the governor of Senegal, Faidherbe was tasked with bolstering the French military presence in the region, which had been under significant threat due to Tall's vigorous campaigns aimed at expelling foreign invaders and asserting local sovereignty. Tall, a prominent Senegambian Islamic leader, sought to establish a vast empire, challenging French authority in the area through a series of military engagements. Faidherbe's mission was not just one of military reinforcement; it also represented the broader French strategy to impose colonial rule and suppress resistance in West Africa.

The arrival of Faidherbe was timely, as French forces had been struggling in the face of Tall's determined and strategic warfare, which had gained significant local support. Faidherbe's experience and military acumen were pivotal, as he understood both the challenges posed by Tall's forces and the larger geopolitical implications of French expansion in West Africa. With Faidherbe commanding the French troops, a new phase began in the confrontations, characterized by a more structured and determined military approach, which would ultimately lay the groundwork for French colonial dominance in the region.

In the aftermath of this event, multiple engagements ensued, with Faidherbe employing a combination of military might and diplomatic strategies to quell the resistance. His policies and military tactics effectively dismantled Tall's growing influence. Thus, Faidherbe's arrival in Kayes did not merely represent a reinforcement of troops but rather marked a turning point in the French colonial project in West Africa, shaping the political dynamics of the region for years to come.