Paper short abstract:

Abobo is facing a new form of violence which involves gangs of ultra-violent young people called ‘‘microbes’’. These young people exploit the poor urban governance and security to behave badly. The fight against this scourge could only be successful if its causes are first fought.

Paper long abstract:

Since the 2010 post-electoral crisis, the municipality of Abobo has experienced a new form of violence that involves gangs of ultra-violent young people known as "microbes". Like the microbes which are characterized by their small size and great ability to harm human health, these gangs have exploited the weaknesses of the urban governance and security, and the precariousness of Abobo's socio-economic environment to take root.

Our study reveals a strong link between young people's involvement in violence and poverty in the Abobo areas. In fact, those who engage in various forms of violence (firearm, clubs, machete attacks) usually come from households where the head of the family is unemployed or has a low income. In the districts, food security is not always guaranteed and not all young people benefit from school education. Consequently, left to fend for themselves parental control is considerably weakening and violence is the only source of survival.

The microbes benefit again from the poor urban planning (problem of street lighting and uncontrolled occupation of the roads by informal activities) to trifle with the police force and rob, stab or murder passers-by. It is hope that the Security Sector Reform which aims to strengthen the capacities of the police force, train and re-socialize "microbes" in several technical centres across the country will help restore security.

It is, however, argued here that these strategies can only be successful if the original socioeconomic factors and management constraints circumstances of these delinquent young people are first taken into account.