Livelihoods in Darfur are intimately linked to the conflict, none more so that the livelihoods of the camel herding nomads known as the Northern Rizaygat, who are widely associated with the Janjaweed militia. A research study by the Feinstein International Center at tufts University uses a livelihoods lens to illustrate the particular processes that have contributed to the vulnerability of the Northern Rizaygat, and brought them to a point where they were willing to actively engage in the counter-insurgency, and how their lives and livelihoods have been affected by five years of conflict. Lessons learned from this very specific case from Darfur are critical for a lasting peace, and have much wider regional and international policy implications.