was over-run by Rabah Zobeir who subsequently removed farther west to Bornu. About this time French interest in the countries surrounding Lake Chad was aroused. The first expedition led thither through Bagirmi met with disaster, its leader, Paul Crampel, being killed by order of Rabah. Subsequent French missions were more fortunate, and in 1897 Emile Gentil, the French commissioner for the district, concluded a treaty with the sultan of Bagirmi, placing his country under French protection. A resident was left at the capital, Massenya, but on Gentil's withdrawal Rabah descended from Bornu and forced sultan and resident to flee. It was not until after the death of Rabah in battle and the rout of his sons (1901) that French authority was firmly established. Kanem, a country north of Bagirmi and subject in turn to it and to Wadai, was at the same time brought under French control. So far as its European rivals are concerned, the French right to these regions was based on the Franco-German convention of 15 March 1894 and the Anglo-French declaration of 21 March 1899. The population in 1903 was estimated at about 200,000, having been greatly reduced as the result of wars and slave-raiding. There is also an ancient caravan route which runs through Kanem and across the Sahara to Tripoli. See also List of rulers of Bagirmi Notes References Chari-Baguirmi Region Departments of Chad