[2] Due to consistent ship crashes along the northeastern Cape Guardafui headland, Boqor Osman's kingdom entered into an informal agreement with Britain, wherein the British agreed to pay the King annual subsidies to protect shipwrecked British crews and guard wrecks against plunder.

"[3] In the late 19th century, all extant Somali monarchs entered into treaties with one of the colonial powers, Britain or Italy, except for Dhulbahante & Darawiish sultan Diiriye Guure.

Both rulers had signed the protectorate treaties to advance their own expansionist objectives, with Boqor Osman looking to use Italy's support in his ongoing power struggle with Kenadid over the Majeerteen Sultanate.

In signing the agreements, the rulers also hoped to exploit the rival objectives of the European imperial powers so as to more effectively assure the continued independence of their territories.

[5] In return for Italian arms and an annual subsidy, the Sultans conceded to a minimum of oversight and economic concessions.