Fortunately, the continent's two giants, South Africa and Nigeria, created models for bringing about fairly elected governments. The uprising was similar to those on other continents, such as the ouster of Slobodan Milosevic. A strongman is forced by domestic and international pressure to hold an election, and when his opponent appears to be winning he hijacks the vote.
Protesters storm the government, the military turns, and the strongman flees.
That's how Laurent Gbagbo, a longtime opposition figure, became president of Ivory Coast last Thursday. At least he claims to be president. Unfortunately, the election was greatly flawed. In now saying no to a new election for president, Mr. Gbagbo has raised religious and ethnic tensions and damaged the very democracy he sought to restore. He should seek a new national mandate.