Wyclef Jean Contemplating Presidency
Did someone say President Wyclef Jean? Reports are floating around the net that the ex-Fugee singer is considering a bid for the Haitian presidency. Jean has been a strong supporter of his homeland and its youth for several years. He founded the Yele Haiti Foundation in 2005 to help raise funds for Haitian youth putting almost 7000 children in school, and informing over 2000 young people a month about AIDs and HIV. Rumors of Jean’s aspirations could be traced back to when the singer was appointed ambassador-at-large in 2007, by the current president, Rene Preval. In an e-mail to the media, the Jean family stated, “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.” (Huffington Post) In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Jean reports he intends on being apart of the election on Nov. 28, whether his name will be found on the ballot is still unsure. Most candidates are expected to publicize their bids by Aug. 7,2010.
This is a tough decision for the artist to make. The impoverished Caribbean nation’s elections are often combative and violent. If Jean does decide to run, he would then have to prove that he has resided in the country for the past five years, own Haitian property, and has never been a citizen of any other nation.
