The British in southern Africa had displayed increasingly aggressive ambitions; indeed, virtually every force worth mentioning around East Africa had done the same.
The actions of Portugal's two colonies had also accelerated. The Mozambique colony had intensified its incursions against several native Kingdoms within its borders, while Angola's invasion of the Kingdom of Congo to the north had likewise worsened.
The Belgians had already gained a firm foothold along the coast, while also bringing the Kingdom of Ankuze under their protectorate—the native Kingdom on the west bank of the Ubangi River.
Italy's progress had also gone rather smoothly. It now posed a grave threat to the security of the Abyssinian Empire, forcing all factions within the Abyssinian Empire to set aside their disputes and jointly confront the threat of the Kingdom of Italy.
Even Egypt had launched a war against the Sultanate of Darfur, attempting to bring this vassal state of the Ottoman Empire under its own rule.
In other parts of Africa, the French, Spanish, and Dutch were also actively expanding their frontiers. Yet whenever these countries extended their colonial operations, they would encounter an existence impossible to ignore—East Africa.
At the national defense conference, Minister of Defense Yalman summarized East Africa's recent national defense and security situation, as well as that of its surroundings:
"February 1876: A Dutch colonial vessel attempted to land at Jason Bay, east of Nawadu along the coast of New Württemberg Province. It was spotted by the residents of Nawadu Town, and we expelled this group of Dutchmen attempting to enter East Africa illegally."
"August 1876: West Azande Province reported the discovery of a six-man French expedition in the west. They claimed they had become separated from their main force and had not intended to trespass into West Azande Province."
"November 1876: An expedition