Frustrated, Sharmake escalated the dispute by accusing Abubakr of misappropriating 4,000 thalers worth of copper from the wreck of the Caïman, a French warship that had run aground near Zeila in 1854.

[6][7] In May 1858, Captain Charles Méquet of the French brig Génie visited Zeila during a mission to explore the Red Sea and recruit free labor for plantations in Réunion.

Lambert, needing forage for his trade animals awaiting shipment from Tadjoura, faced challenges as it was scarce in the area and could only be obtained in Zeila, now controlled by Sharmarke, his adversary following a ransom dispute.

This letter, written in French, could not be read by Sharmarke's secretaries, who replied in Arabic:[15]"To our dear friend, Mr. Lambert, Consul, may God prolong the days of your life!

[29][30][31][32]"The Pasha consented, and as soon as the messengers addressed to him returned, Awadh engaged Aly Bar and Mohamed to make me realise the role I was to play in the tragedy that was being prepared.

I was then in the company of Samantar Sheroua, and I said to him: ‘Accompany me and position yourself behind the mat partition of the house so that you can bear witness to the conversation that is about to take place between Sharmarke's envoys and me.’ These two emissaries began their work of corruption, alternately dazzling me with promises and threats.

Finally, overcome by the fear of death, which they also threatened me with, and tempted, I must admit, by the sight of a few Talaris [thalers], and by the promise that no legal action would ever be taken against me, I consented to kill Lambert; I only required that I be given a written assurance that I would never be held responsible or prosecuted for the crime.

Unlike Sharmake, who didn't notify the authorities to avoid drawing attention to himself, Aboubakr Pasha, despite his usual lack of direct dealings with the British, alerts the Governor of Aden, acknowledging his role in regional policing.

He mentions receiving a letter indicating that Lambert and his servant had died at sea near Djibouti, while the crew, including the captain, all natives of Zeila, had safely returned.

[51][52] Upon visiting Tadjoura and Zeila, Playfair spoke with local witnesses, including Aboubeker, who suspected foul play and pointed to a potential murder orchestrated by a man named Sharmarke.

He reported significant signs of foul play, such as intentional damage to the boat's hull and blood stains on the deck, which led him to conclude that Lambert had been murdered rather than dying in a shipwreck.

The investigation failed to make any significant progress due to these obstructions, and despite knowing of Lambert's murder, authorities seemed unwilling to pursue the matter with urgency or clarity.

The lack of thorough investigation left many questions unanswered, with the true circumstances of Lambert's death obscured by the failure of local authorities to confront the reality of the crime.

Nonetheless, Fleuriot de Langle pushed forward with his investigation, placing significant emphasis on Aboubeker's testimonies, which, despite being inconsistent, suggested a connection between Sharmarke and the incident.

In his communications with the Ottoman authorities, Fleuriot de Langle argued forcefully for Sharmarke's arrest and trial, warning that the failure to act could lead to the corruption of justice.

At the same time, he took steps to neutralise any potential threats to his rule, including issuing orders to arrest Sharmarke, Awadth bil Fukee, and the sailor Gely Gedy if they were found in Turkish ports.

The Pasha's hesitation was a clear attempt to avoid direct confrontation with Fleuriot de Langle, while simultaneously justifying a potential military intervention against Zeila.

[85] On April 4, 1861, Fleuriot de Langle anchored the Somme at Tadjoura, where he gathered key testimonies, including second-hand but valuable information from Aboubeker about Lambert's murder.

During Ramadan, hostages were delivered, and investigations revealed significant information, including confessions implicating Shermarke and details of the sailors' behavior following Lambert's murder.

De Langle informed Playfair via his Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Paqué, that he intended to return to Zeila with the Cordelière to arrest the remaining crew of the Nasseri.

Osman was brought aboard the Somme on April 28, 1861, where he admitted that the letter urging Lambert's murder existed, though he claimed it was written by Salmis, a slave of Sharmarke.

Aouat Bel Fakil, another accomplice, also confessed to his role in the crime, revealing the broader involvement of higher authorities, including Sharmarke and Ahmed Pasha.

The Somme then departed for Reunion, with De Langle reporting to the French Ministry, expressing concerns over the British influence and the potential manipulation of the investigation by the Turkish administration.

This boat, commanded by Samanta Sheroua, carried two emissaries from Sharmarket, Aly Bar Omar Tour and Mohamed Hassan Robly, who were tasked with delivering a letter demanding the death of Lambert.

Initially resisting, Abdul Ahy eventually gave in due to the fear of death and the promises of impunity and reward, including a written order that would ensure his protection if the crime were ever investigated.

Among those tried were Awadh Bel Fakil, Mohamed Hassan Robly, Hadj Osman, sailors Gely Gedy and Aly Sanguely, and cabin boy Mahomet.

Before his death, feeling immense guilt, he expressed his desire to wear European clothes, a gesture symbolising his renouncement of the Turkish and Arab ways in acknowledgment of his wrongdoing.

Due to the fact, it had not rained for a long time; people began to say that it was he who had brought this punishment from Heaven by delivering the murderers of Henri Lambert to France, and one day, in the middle of an assembly, his hair was shaven clean: it is by ceremonies like this, the Issa Somali depose their chiefs.

[112] Henri Lambert’s death in 1859 had far-reaching consequences, both in France and the Horn of Africa, drawing attention to the strategic importance of establishing a French presence near the Red Sea.

Both men had been loyal friends to Henri Lambert, and their time in Paris, from November 1861 to March 1862, highlighting the personal ties France had cultivated with local figures in the Horn of Africa.