The fort was designed by the Belgian engineer, General Henri Alexis Brialmont. The fort was built by the Congo Free State to prevent an advance on the Congo, particularly by Portugal, who occupied neighboring Angola. The confrontation between the two nations were in fact limited to exchanges of fire between light batteries and Portuguese ships. About two hundred soldiers of the Congolese Force Publique occupied the fort, and at least as many auxiliary troops. They were principally from distant regions to counter any rebellion, such as the Batatela revolt of 1887-88. This, however, did not prevent the revolt of the Batatela of Shinkakasa on 17 April 1900.