While the power of Bornu to resist was weakened after its temporary conquest by the Sudanese warlord Rabih az-Zubayr, Sokoto remained intact.

By 1890 Adamawa was weakened by internal struggle, as a Mahdist state had developed within the Emirate,[2] and its borders overlapped with German colonial claims in the region, though it remained defiant on ceding territory.

For economic and political reasons, the Germans were determined to expand the colony into Adamawa,[3] so exploration expeditions to survey the region began, with the intention of eventually taking it by force.

However, until 1898, the Germans were still primarily focused on the Bafut Wars, attempting to conquer and pacify the chiefdoms of central and northwestern Kamerun, rather than spreading northeast.

However, in the summer of 1901, and despite previous conflict with the Emirate, Lieutenant Hans Dominik was ordered to meet with Emir Zubeiru bi Adama to reach an agreement on the contested territories and for the prospect of turning Adamawa into a protectorate of the German Empire, as Germany claimed all of the territory between the Sanaga River and Lake Chad, and conduct an expedition to the far north.

However, ignoring orders from governor Puttkamer, Colonel Rudolf Cramer von Clausbruch [de] brought his Schutztruppe from the west and invaded Adamawa, storming the city of Ngaoundéré on August 20.

Dominik with his force fought their way northwest to Ngaoundéré where they linked up with Clausbruch's troops before attacking across the Benue River capturing the city of Garoua.

In April 1902, Sultan Umar of Mandara swore allegiance to German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II,[18] and by early May 1902, an expedition had reached the southern shores of Lake Chad.

In January 1903, one of his agents, Yerima Mustapha, arranged to meet and then assassinated the German resident of Maroua, Graf Fugger, with a poisoned dart, prompting Dominik to engage in a harsh occupation of the city.

After a pilgrimage to Mecca, Mal Alhadji returned to northern Kamerun and, under the influence of the Mallam (Koranic theologian) Liman Arabu, began preaching the Mahdiyya throughout Adamawa.

Simultaneously, Goni Waday, another Mahdist who recently travelled to Mecca, launched a revolt in Ngaoundéré having gathered support with his passionate sermons calling for a jihad from the Mosques of the city to expel the German Christians and restore the old caliphate.