Glimpse: The Sahel has once again drawn attention from around the world, more than 40 years after a devastating famine devastated the region. Uncertainty and climate-related problems have come together to create a vicious cycle of poor economic performance that fuels intergroup conflict. Climate change has the potential to incite violence by sapping the sources of income for groups that rely primarily on natural resources. This can exacerbate pre-existing rivalries. The essay contends that clientelism and poor judgment of some decision-makers are core causes of violence, even though climate change is a factor.