[1] Although, considerably weaker than his forebears he was still the most powerful ruler in the region and was credited for defending the Rahanweyn territory by repulsing an invasion from the Ethiopian Empire and Dervish State.

The succession of Osman Ahmed in the 1880s brought the Geledi Sultanate a man of lesser desires and minimal diplomatic skills than his illustrious forefathers.

Osman, for example, did nothing to stop the Bimaal when they blockaded a branch of the Shabelle River thus causing difficulties to Geledi's agricultural subjects downriver.

[2] Despite these complications, Osman's inherited Baraka (grace) as a member of the noble Gobroon lineage which was still respected by many ordinary Somalis in the region.

Acting-administrator Dulio felt that the young men of the Geledi clan were fiercely against the Italian presence, whereas their elders wanted some sort of accommodation.

The authorities had received a letter from the wealthy landlord Aw Nur Ahmedow denying Geledi involvement in the attack of Cecchi's expedition, but at the same time news reached Mogadishu that a hostile Sheikh was attracting large crowds in Balguurey and Ceel Qoode (Elqode).