Wyclef to run for Haitian presidency

The hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean has made public his intentions to run for the Haitian presidency in the upcoming elections. On August 5, Jean appeared on Larry king Live to confirm rumors that he is joining the political race on the island country. The musician will be running on the Viv Ansanm (Live Together) political party’s ticket.  Jean says, “While I don’t pretend to be a miracle worker, I wholeheartedly believe that at this important time in Haiti’s history, I am the right person to put the country on the road to the brighter future it so desperately needs and deserves.  We also need to cultivate Haiti’s rich culture of entrepreneurship by increasing the availability of microcredit and simplifying laws and bureaucracy.”

Jean was born in Haiti and moved to the United States at the age of nine to New York City. His family then moved once again to New Jersey, where he met fellow band members of his music group The Fugees. Jean’s uncle, Raymond Alcide Joseph, has been a political influence in Jeans life. Joseph has been the ambassador of Haiti to the United States since 2005 and has worked with his nephew to procure aid for the country following its devastating earthquake.

Jean, 37, has a few hurdles to clear before being technically ready for the Haitian presidency. One matter he has already taken care of, resigning as the director of his charity Yéle Haiti Foundation. The artist also must deal with the situation of his dual citizenship. Haitian law forbids presidential candidates to be citizens with more than one citizenship status. Jean currently holds dual citizenships from both Haiti and the United States.

Wyclef Jean currently resides in New York City with his wife of 16 years, Marie Claudinette and their daughter Angelina Claudinelle Jean.