‘No Peace No War’ Situation Between Ethiopia and Eritrea: Perspectives of Eritrean and Ethiopian Students and Local People, Adigrat Town, Ethiopia

This study deals with the ‘no peace no war’ situation existed in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The study was aimed at assessing the opinion and experience of students and local people in Adigrat town. This study employed qualitative case study research design. Purposive sampling technique was used to identify a total of fourteen sample respondents from which ten are university students, two are elders and two women from the town. The study employs unstructured interview with open ended questions as a main data collection instrument which is supported by secondary sources with academic literatures including the theories of peace like the positive peace, Liberal peace and the ‘new war’ theory. Accordingly the findings, the study shows that ‘no peace no war’ situation currently existing in Ethiopia and Eritrea has an adverse effect for both peoples by prohibiting peaceful coexistence and integration to enhance their social and economic development. This ranges from separation of families, migration and economic entrapment to the absence of security and peace politically between the two countries. The finding also indicates that the historical politics of identity which widens the gap between the two peoples is starting to change with the new generation which is helpful in bringing the two peoples together. This can bring a positive peace when it gain consent from both parties of the government which is helpful to reverse the current ‘no peace no war’ situation in to cooperation and integration when the Liberal peace settlement left them with incomplete peace agreement.