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Paper short abstract:

Considering the now common knowledge that youths are champions of peace and development, this remains unrealistic in Africa. Reflecting on youths in the Sahel the study demonstrated that dialogue and instruments such as youth manifesto and youth policy are crucial to air their plan for change.

Paper long abstract:

The world comprises 1.8 billion young people, 90% of whom leave in developing countries. In African countries where youth comprise more than 75% of the population, of which the majority are below the age of 25, bring to attention the role of youth in attaining sustainable development and facilitating peace and security. This is due to the fact that this most youthful continent suffers from underdevelopment and insecurity problems. This persist despite the fact that almost all countries’ laws and development plans mention youths as an engine of development and peace. The Sahel region has about 60% of the population under the age of 25 who suffer from a high unemployment rate, hunger and extreme poverty. Consequently, they are recruited by criminal gangs instead of facilitating sustainable development, peace, and security. Focusing on Burkina Faso and Niger, this exploratory study that used secondary data researched the status of youth towards peace and development. The findings show that dialogue and instruments such as youth manifesto and youth policy have to be keenly considered since they express youths priorities. Additionally, despite the fact that many youths are recruited and involved in violence, majority are patriotic to their countries and call for good governance that will provide them employment and protect their lives and natural resources. They also seek active involvement in decision-making to determine their own fate. The study has policy recommendations that youth empowerment programs should be incorporated in the governance structures and recognized by regime of the day.