Fugees singer Wyclef Jean ‘to run’ for Haitian presidency
Last updated at 10:40 AM on 27th July 2010
Singer Wyclef Jean is considering a run for president of Haiti, his family has confirmed.
The former Fugees star may seek a five-year term as leader of the earthquake-ravaged nation.
It has long been speculated that the Haitian-born entertainer might enter the 2010 presidential contest, ever since President Rene Preval appointed him ambassador-at-large for the Caribbean nation in 2007.
Tearful: Wyclef Jean pleads in his native Creole language for international aid for Haiti following January’s earthquake. He is now considering a run for president
In a statement emailed to reporters, Jean’s family said, ‘Wyclef’s commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward.
‘If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately.’
The letter was signed ‘The Jean Family’ and a spokeswoman for the musician confirmed the message’s authenticity.
President Preval cannot seek re-election.
Jean, 37, was born on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince but left the hemisphere’s poorest country as a child and grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
However, to enter the race Jean would have to prove he has resided in Haiti for five consecutive years, own property in the country and have never been a citizen of any country other than Haiti.
He recently announced his intention to be involved in the November 28 election, but not necessarily as a candidate.
‘Do I have political intentions? At this time no. But what I do have is a movement – it’s called Face a Face, Face to Face,’ Jean said. ‘The youth population… we are going to encourage them to vote.’
Political ambitions: Jean arrives at Port-au-Prince Airport the day after an earthquake ravaged the Caribbean island
The singer has been active in recent years in raising money through his Yele Haiti Foundation.
The organisation was widely criticised for alleged financial irregularities after the January 12 quake, when scrutiny revealed it had paid Jean to perform at fundraising events and bought advertising air time from a television station he co-owns. The foundation hired a new accounting firm after the allegations surfaced.
Jean, who said he voted for Preval in 2006, would not have an easy road as a candidate as Haitian elections are contentious and often violent.
Dozens of candidates are expected to declare themselves by the August 7 deadline.
Preval’s opponents have threatened to block the November 28 vote if he does not replace the presidentially approved electoral council, which he has refused to do.
Whoever wins will face the gargantuan task of rebuilding a country devastated by the January earthquake. Haiti has not had a functioning economy in decades and its presidents have only rarely completed a constitutional five-year term – more typically being overthrown, assassinated, declaring themselves ‘president-for-life’ or some combination of the three.