The Cameroon National Youth Service Corps (CNYSC) as an Institutional Tool to Prepare Youths for Nation-Building: A Humancentric Counterterrorism and Nation-Building Perspective

Abstract

Several studies have pointed out that youths significantly contribute to society’s development and progress. Thus, this article discusses the extent to which youths, who make up almost 60% of Cameroon’s population, although having been put at the centre of Cameroon’s plans in achieving her national visions and expected to be drivers of nation-building, continue to face various challenges that create barriers to their involvement in nation-building—plagued with unemployment, underemployment, corruption, poverty, illiteracy, etc. The study reveals that these barriers have urged some youths to join terrorist and secessionist groups and, most unfortunately, view these extremist groups as vehicles to a better life and gaining a higher economic and social status. The humancentric approach is used as a solution to countering terrorism to bolster nation-building and to scholarly address the growing issues of youth radicalism, insurgencies and terrorism, which are very much still undiscussed. In Cameroon today, terrorists and armed secessionists have not only created violence but have also targeted, recruited, and forced youths to be part of their illegitimate movements that fight against the state. Given that Cameroonian youths are an essential factor in Cameroon’s growth and development and central to government plans in the implementation of the nation’s 2035 vision, this article, therefore, identifies, emphasises and proposes the critical need for a Cameroon National Youth Service Corps (CNYSC) programme, as an institutional tool that will positively impact on patriotism and national identity that can influence youth’s intention to refuse to be radicalised and coopted into terrorist groups. Also, utilising the comparative politics tool, a National Youth Service is not a new idea or concept in seeking solutions to issues that challenge young people worldwide. National Youth Services have already been implemented in many other countries and are working well for them. Countries such as Namibia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and neighbouring Nigeria are a few of the many countries. From a nation-building perspective, a CNYCS programme would help youths contribute to the national economy, security, social cohesion, national integration, national unity and nation-building of Cameroon.