Career
According to Taddesse Tamrat, First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Maqrizi describes Ali as "the first to revolt from the customary allegiance to the Hati ", a claim that Taddesse Tamrat explains as meaning that Ali was the first of his family to revolt since the death of Emperor Amda Seyon I.
His revolt was unsuccessful due to lack of support from his subjects. Emperor Newaya Krestos subsequently made Ahmad governor of Ifat. However, after eight years Ali was released from prison and returned to power.
There is some disagreement over the exact length of Ali"s reign.
