The government's soldiers went to Omdurman to re-establish their authority in those regions. Therefore, he decided to negotiate with the two Khalifa, Ali bin Helu and Hamad Sharif, on the basis that they would divide the country between them. Kordofan and Darfur would be divided into two regions, and Khalifa Ali bin Helu would take the lands on the banks of the White Nile and all that belongs to it, starting from Omdurman to the south. Khalifa Hamad Sharif would take the lands north of Omdurman and on the banks of the Blue Nile up to the eastern Sudan.

The Tamayishi negotiated with these two Khalifas on this matter. Khalifa Ali bin Helu expressed his displeasure, saying that the lands of the White Nile were not enough for him and that he must also have the lands of the Blue Nile. Khalifa Sharif refused, saying that the lands in his possession were between Egypt and Sudan, and he would undoubtedly defend them. Therefore, Kordofan must be added to his share. The Tamayishi did not agree to this division.

They parted ways, and in the heart of each of them, the other harbored resentment.

As for the Tamayishi, he was ill with what was happening between him and the Khalifas. He confided in Al-Maji Zubair, his chief of guards at the time, who was from the people of Berber. He began to weaken his resolve regarding this division and assured him that the entire country was subject to him and that he was capable of ruling the kingdom. He told him that the two Khalifas, Ali bin Helu and Hamad Sharif, were not to be feared, as they were deceived by the Mahdi's lies and his claims. He told him that there was no harm in this matter, for if they obeyed you, they would preserve the honor of the Mahdi who opened this path. If they lied to you, the public would believe you as they believed the Mahdi, and you could use this lie as a pretext to discredit them and bring them down.