Disputed presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire and Belarus show that anti-democratic forces remain strong and have little regard for geography, recent history or world opinion. They also show that a unified international response, while not sufficient, is necessary to keep democracy in these countries alive.
Côte d'Ivoire was, for a time, the great hope for West Africa, a legacy of strong economic growth complemented by competitive elections in 2000. Laurent Gbagbo, in power since then, is now refusing to relinquish control despite losing a run-off vote last month. Already dozens have died in the ensuing violence, and Mr. Gbagbo has threatened to expel UN peacekeepers, in the country after a civil war eight years ago.
To Canadians, Belarus is a footnote, a second fiddle in international hockey and in potash mining. But the 10-million strong nation between Poland and Russia is ruled by Aleksandr Lukashenko, Europe's last dictator. He has won an election in which half of the vote counts monitored by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe were deemed "bad or very bad," and detained seven of his nine opponents, one almost beaten to death.
These depressing episodes show that hardened despots are not easily swayed. Belarus was offered billions of dollars in aid by Poland and Germany if it held fair elections. But Mr. Lukashenko is protected by reliable allies with similar views on democracy, notably Russia's Vladimir Putin.
The costs of doing nothing could extend beyond the country in question. With the Ivorian president acting with impunity, the leaders of other African countries soon holding only their second free presidential elections - the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia go to the polls in 2011 - may be similarly emboldened if the opposition shows its strength.
Where democracy is weak, international resolve must substitute. It is more evident in Côte d'Ivoire, where the African Union is mediating and where a 10,000-strong UN force has bravely promised to stay despite the threat to it. Now the West must work with Russia's imperfect leadership to bring freedom and justice for the aspiring democrats of Belarus.