 In late 1888, Sultan Kenadid entered into a treaty with the Italians, making his realm an Italian protectorate.His rival Boqor Osman would sign a similar agreement vis-a-vis his own Sultanate the following year.Both rulers had signed the protectorate treaties to advance their own expansionist objectives, with Kenadid looking to use Italy's support in his dispute with the Omani Sultan of Zanzibar over an area bordering Warsheikh, in addition to his ongoing power struggle over the Majeerteen Sultanate with Boqor Osman.