Reactions to Lambert's death Upon learning of Sharmarke's letter and Diny's testimony about the state of the Nasseri and the traces of blood, Aboubakr Pasha immediately concludes that Lambert was murdered. 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. Aboubakr's letter to Brigadier Coghlan on June 7, 1859, reveals that Lambert had traveled to Al-Hodeydah with one of his boats but disappeared on his return journey from
Mokha to Tadjoura. 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. Aboubeker requests an investigation into Lambert's death, emphasising that if it had occurred in his territory, he would have personally conducted the inquiry, but as it happened in Sharmarke's domain, he urges Coghlan to investigate with Saleh Chehem's assistance, focusing on the shipwreck site for clues.
Investigations led by France and Great Britain The investigation into the death of Henri Lambert, a French Consular Agent, was conducted by Captain Playfair in June 1859 after Lambert died under suspicious circumstances while traveling aboard a ship, the Nasseri, from Aden to Tadjoura. The Furious was dispatched to investigate, and Playfair, alongside Captain Osborne, sailed to the region to gather information. 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. Playfair, however, did not give much weight to Aboubakr's claims and instead accepted a version of events presented by Assooah Gedy, a sailor from the Issa tribe. Gedy's account claimed that Lambert's death was a result of an accidental shipwreck caused by a violent storm and that Lambert, along with two others, drowned after being thrown off a raft. Despite evidence such as bloodstains on the shipwreck and signs of potential sabotage, Playfair maintained the death was accidental, downplaying the suspicious circumstances. Saleh Chehem, another important figure in the investigation, brought a letter from Sharmarke to Playfair, but he was not involved further in the investigation, and his presence was largely ignored. After the investigation, Playfair submitted his report to Brigadier Coghlan, emphasising the accidental nature of Lambert's death. This conclusion aligned with British political interests, as it helped avoid any diplomatic tensions with France. Despite skepticism from Coghlan, who privately questioned Playfair's findings, the British government backed Playfair's report to prevent the French from launching their own investigation. As a result, the cause of Lambert's death was officially deemed an accident, though doubts about the truth of the investigation persisted. Ahmed Pasha, complicit in the murder of Henri Lambert but concerned with maintaining appearances, sent two police officers (Cawas) to Zeila to investigate the incident. The first, Mahboub Cawas, was tasked with investigating the hijacking of a hay boat that Lambert had formally complained about. However, his role extended to the investigation of Lambert's death after being ordered by the Pasha. Mahboub, who had known Lambert since his time in Al-Hodeydah, initially advised Lambert to delay his departure, but Lambert refused. Mahboub eventually traveled to Zeila in June 1859, where he inspected the wreck of Lambert's boat, the Nasseri. 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. He also discovered blood-soaked clothing, which he kept as evidence. Despite the grim findings, Mahboub's investigation ultimately stalled, with little further action taken. Lambert's belongings were retrieved later, and Mahboub continued to pursue the issue of the hay boat, although it appeared that he and others in authority did little to confront the truth of Lambert's murder. In a second investigation, Mahmoud Cawas, another officer, was sent to Zeila in July 1859 to bring back the crew and skipper of Lambert's boat. However, he faced resistance from Sharmarke, who claimed not to know the individuals involved, despite Mahboub having already identified them. The investigation was hampered by these evasions, and Sharmarke went as far as hiding the crew by sending them to various locations. Mahmoud, weak-willed and unwilling to challenge Sharmarke's lies, followed orders to investigate further in Tadjoura. Meanwhile, Aboubeker, a local informant, confirmed that the crew was from Zeila, but by then, Sharmarke had already made efforts to cover up their whereabouts. 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 actions of the police in the investigation were marred by delays, misdirection, and complicity in the cover-up of Lambert's murder. Official reports were inconsistent, and no decisive action was taken by Ahmed Pasha, leading to frustration among those involved in the case. 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. Mahmoud Cawas's investigation yielded no results, and Sharmake dismissed his efforts, advising him to return to Hodeida for further orders. Upon his return, Mahboub Cawas's health worsened, but after recovering, he handed over bloody remnants of Lambert's trousers, enraging Ahmed Pasha. In retaliation, the Pasha stripped Mahboub of his weapons and ordered his deportation. However, an officer intervened, and Mahboub was instead relieved of his duties and forced to leave Yemen, heading for Jeddah. Nacouda Abdillahi showed no remorse for killing Lambert, even wearing the ostrich feather of a victorious warrior. Shermarke protected him, moving the sailors out of Zeila when Mahmoud Cawas arrived. Abdillahi sought payment and safety, but Shermarke delayed, withholding the letter authorizing the murder. After handing over the contract, Abdillahi was sent to Al-Hodeydah, where Awadth warned him to stay silent. Abdillahi fled back to Zeila with a letter for Shermarke, who later seized it. Despite receiving some money from Shermarke, Abdillahi was left empty-handed, and months later, still confident of impunity, returned to Zeila. The investigation into Henri Lambert's death began after multiple reports supported the theory of assassination.
Alphonse Fleuriot de Langle's report, along with testimonies from Consuls Rousseau, Mahboub Cawas, and Gilbert, all confirmed suspicions that Lambert had been murdered. The French government took these reports seriously, and discussions were initiated about potential intervention. Plans were made to work with the
Ottoman Empire to punish those responsible, possibly involving French naval forces. On July 13, 1860, Admiral Hamelin confirmed that Lambert had likely been murdered and requested guidance on reparations. Meanwhile, Joseph Lambert, the victim's brother, wrote to Napoleon III, citing the testimony of a cabin boy who had revealed key details about his brother's death, further pushing for action. However, inconsistencies arose in witness statements, particularly from Assooah Gedy, whose account of swimming distances and events surrounding the murder contradicted others, complicating the investigation. The involvement of Father Juvenal in Aden, who had access to a freed cabin boy, added another layer of complexity, but legal hurdles and the passage of time made it difficult to use the boy's testimony officially. Despite this, Joseph Lambert's petition made clear the importance of the cabin boy's statement. The investigation faced challenges, such as conflicting reports from crew members, but the theory of assassination remained dominant. The French government moved forward with plans for a naval intervention and demands for reparations from the Ottoman Empire. The official inquiry, however, remained muddled by contradictory testimonies, but the pursuit of justice continued, leading to eventual diplomatic and military actions. Following the death of Mr. Lambert, the French Consul Fleuriot de Langle launched a complex investigation into the matter. Playfair, was dispatched by the Ottoman authorities to gather information, and he returned with letters from Sharmarke and Aboubakr Pasha, both of which contradicted each other. These conflicting testimonies complicated the inquiry, as the claims from the people of Tadjoura were already known to be unreliable, especially since Shermarke had longstanding enemies in the region. 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. He suggested sending the accused to Jeddah for trial, as it would be more impartial, given the conflicting testimonies. He also proposed that the trial be conducted in Constantinople, despite the rarity of such actions, if the local authorities doubted the validity of the accusations. Ahmed Pasha, responded cautiously to Fleuriot de Langle's demands. While acknowledging the suspension of Sharmarke's command, he refrained from committing to a trial or further investigation. The Pasha questioned the validity of the evidence presented by the Tadjoura people, emphasising that their testimonies were contradictory and lacked corroboration. To maintain control over the situation, he suspended Shermarke's position and called for instructions from the
Sublime Porte. 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. This intervention would allow him to neutralise Aboubeker, his rival, and extend his control over the region. By maintaining this ambiguous stance, Ahmed Pasha avoided committing to a course of action that could jeopardise his position. Despite his best efforts, Fleuriot de Langle found himself increasingly frustrated by the lack of cooperation from the Ottoman authorities. The Pasha's evasiveness and refusal to take concrete action confirmed his suspicion that the Ottoman Empire was not interested in conducting a fair trial. In his report to his superiors on April 15, 1861, he conceded the failure of his diplomatic efforts, stating bluntly, "The Pasha does not want a trial." This admission marked the end of Fleuriot de Langle's hopes for a resolution through diplomatic channels. Realising that the Ottoman authorities would not act, Fleuriot de Langle decided to take matters into his own hands. He planned a trip to Zeila to gather more evidence and confront the situation directly. However, without the promised military support, such as the Cordelière and the 400 Turkish soldiers, his task became even more challenging. He proceeded alone, driven by a growing sense of disillusionment, as it became increasingly clear that the political landscape in the region was not conducive to justice. of Zeila and the
Ughaz of the Issa and Commander
Fleuriot de Langle, engraving published in
Le Tour du monde in 1862 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. He detailed Shermarke's role in orchestrating the crime, the events on the Nasseri, and the subsequent involvement of various actors. De Langle emphasised the impossibility of certain alleged events, such as building a raft aboard the Nasseri, and revealed critical testimonies, including Nacouda of the Aitaitoo witnessing the Nasseri leaving Mussah Islands after 4 p.m. Sharmarke's connection was further established when he gave Lambert's office to Dunjee, a Banian merchant, to grow his fortune. De Langle also encountered Mohamed Aberrahman in Tadjoura, who provided corroborative details, including traces of blood and confessions from sailors. In
Siyara, De Langle failed to collect valid testimonies. Nacouda Haj Ali and Samantar Robly had only transported families of Sharmarke's clan, who were fleeing the French. However, Samantar Sheroua eventually confessed, detailing Shermarke's letter to Awadh el Fakil and the sailors' behavior following Lambert's murder. The Somme anchored off Zeila on April 7, where initial contacts with the city were amicable. De Langle offered financial rewards for testimonies and issued safe-conducts to facilitate cooperation. However, opposition arose, prompting him to issue a formal summons to the inhabitants. The summons demanded the surrender of key witnesses and crew members of the Nasseri, under threat of severe punitive measures. During Ramadan, hostages were delivered, and investigations revealed significant information, including confessions implicating Shermarke and details of the sailors' behavior following Lambert's murder. However, De Langle's progress was hindered by the interference of Omar, a Turkish officer suspected of being the Pasha's secret agent. On April 16, 1861, the Somme arrived at Aden. De Langle's activities in the Red Sea had drawn the attention of Captain Playfair, who dispatched H.M.S. Lady Canning for surveillance. 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. His haste allowed only limited communication with Playfair, who became suspicious of De Langle's mission. Playfair promptly sent his intelligence agent, Hassan Ali Rejib, to Hodeida on a fact-finding mission regarding De Langle's actions. Meanwhile, De Langle, now joined by the Cordelière, departed for Zeila on April 17, continuing his pursuit of justice for Lambert's murder. == Consequences ==