 This period also saw an increased focus by Global Empires on colonial expansion.The three major imperial powers of Britain, Italy and France consequently sought and signed various protectorate treaties with the ruling Somali Sultans, such as Mohamoud Ali Shire of the Warsangali Sultanate, Osman Mahamuud of the Majeerteen Sultanate and Yusuf Ali Kenadid of the Sultanate of Hobyo.Supplied with military hardware by the European powers, the Ethiopian Empire also sought to expand its own influence in the Horn region.