The subject of youth and their role in violent conflict continues to shape African social science research; hence the need to initiate sustainable preventive measures as youth violence permeates every policy discussion in conflict and post-conflict contexts. The research has focused primarily on the role of youth either as perpetrators or as victims of violence. Several projects have linked increased youth engagement in violence to growing levels of illiteracy, rising unemployment and poverty. These neo-classical perspectives present poverty as the root of the problems that face the global south. In some regions, youth participation in violence has also been perceived as an attempt to escape from heightened poverty levels. Policy recommendations emanating from the above hypotheses have pointed towards the need for increased education facilities, employment opportunities and income-creation possibilities.

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