Prince Aserate Kassa was the head of the Selalle sub-branch of the Shewan branch of Ethiopia's Imperial Solomonic dynasty.

The other part was to engage in discrete negotiations in hope of reconciling most of the populace based on appeals to shared highland Christian heritage.

Israeli advisors failed to effectively control the tendency of Ethiopian commanders to use brutal tactics, which drove civilians to seek protection from the rebels.

Only with difficulty did Ras Asrate dissuade Emperor Haile Selassie from listening to Aklilu and his generals and declare martial law in Eritrea in early 1970.

Aklilu's faction was able to convince the Emperor to recall Ras Aserate, declare martial law in Eritrea, and appoint General Debebe Haile Mariam military governor.