Wyclef Jean calls for peaceful support
Wyclef Jean The former Fugees frontman announced he was planning to run in the country’s November elections earlier this month. The 37-year-old musician was born on the Caribbean island, but moved to New York when he was a child.
He has remained attached to his native country, and was one of the first celebrities to rush to Haiti’s aid when the nation was devastated by an earthquake earlier this year.
There has been some doubt over whether Wyclef’s presidency bid will be accepted by election officials as he reportedly does not meet the residency requirement. The star, who is currently in hiding after receiving death threats, is planning to argue that the five-year residency rules don’t apply to him as he has been a “roving ambassador” to Haiti since 2007 and had to travel around the world to fulfil that role.
“I have filed every piece of paper the electoral council has asked for,” Wyclef said. “We are winning on law."
If Wyclef’s bid is rejected, he says he will urge his supporters to behave peacefully. He says he won’t stand for any rioting, and will step aside to support the country’s new elected leader.
"I will ask people to move in peace and move calmly," he said.
Haiti’s electoral council will publish its official list of candidates tomorrow.
The Haitian presidential elections will take place on November 28.