SUMMARY

The non-state conflict between the rebel group FRCI and the pro-government militia MILOCI (Mouvement pour la Liberation de l'Ouest de la Côte d'Ivoire, Movement for the Liberation of Western Ivory Coast) took place in the context of the Ivorian intrastate conflict (see Ivory Coast: Government. The intrastate conflict had erupted in 2002, effectively dividing the country in two, with a rebel-held north and government-controlled south. In an effort to fight the rebellion, the Government of Ivory Coast created a number of pro-government militias, in part because the president was uncertain of the loyalties of the regular armed forces. MILOCI was one of the ethnic militias formed in the western part of the country. Staunchly pro-government, the militia claimed to fight to liberate Yacouba villages in rebel-held areas.

The non-state conflict between FRCI and MILOCI is first included in UCDP data in 2005. On 28 February that year, MILOCI attacked rebel positions in the village of Lougale in western Ivory Coast and the ensuing clashes resulted in at least 28 battle-related deaths.