REVIEW article
Front. Polit. Sci.
Sec. Peace and Democracy
Volume 7 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpos.2025.1599788
Youth at the Crossroads: Balancing Contributions to Conflict and Peace Amid High Unemployment in Africa
Provisionally accepted
- College of Economic Management Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Over 60% of young people in Africa are unemployed, creating a serious youth unemployment issue that exacerbates instability and limits peacebuilding chances. The variables that either encourage youth to use violence or allow them to make positive contributions to society are the primary purpose of this study, which examines the dual role of unemployed youth as agents of peace and conflict. The research uses a content analysis technique that includes case studies and policy analysis to identify the main factors contributing to youth involvement in conflict, including social exclusion, political marginalisation, and economic deprivation. On the other hand, youngsters are empowered as peacebuilders through focused peacebuilding initiatives, inclusive governance, and access to high-quality employment. The findings highlight the necessity of comprehensive measures addressing systemic injustices, encouraging respectable employment, and engaging youth in politics. Policymakers may turn this demographic dilemma into a chance for long-term peace and development by utilising the potential of Africa's youth through calculated investments in inclusion, work, and education.
Keywords: Youth unemployment, peacebuilding, Conflict prevention, Africa, Radicalization, Governance inclusion, social cohesion
Received: 25 Mar 2025; Accepted: 08 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Chigudu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Daniel Chigudu, College of Economic Management Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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