Before the proclamation of the republic, the area was under the control of competing Griqua and Tswana groups, two of them under the leadership of chiefs Mankoroane and Montsioa, whom the British regarded as "friendly," Williams, Basil.
Before the proclamation of the republic, the area was under the control of competing Griqua and Tswana groups, while the United Kingdom laid claim to it as part of the emerging protectorate of British Bechuanaland. Two of the indigenous groups were under the leadership of chiefs Mankoroane and Montsioa, whom the British regarded as "friendly," Williams, Basil.