The Egyptian authorities had been extending their control southwards since the 1820s. Right up to 1914, Egypt was officially a "vilayet" (province) of the Ottoman Empire, but after Mohammed Ali become the "vali" (governor) of Egypt in 1805, Egypt was a "de facto" independent state where the authority of the Ottoman Sultan was more nominal than real. An expedition was sent up the White Nile, under Sir Samuel Baker, which reached Khartoum in February 1870 and Gondokoro in June 1871. Baker met with great difficulties and managed little beyond establishing a few posts along the Nile.