Wyclef Jean to run for presidency

Wyclef Jean submitted papers yesterday (05.08.10) to formally declare he is running to be President of Haiti.

Wyclef Jean is running to be President of Haiti.

The 40-year-old musician was greeted by dozens of cheering supporters as he arrived at an electoral council office in Port-au-Prince to formally announce his candidacy for the Viv Ansanm (Live Together) political party yesterday (05.08.10).

Speaking of about his decision, Wyclef said: "It's a moment in time and in history. It's very emotional.

"I would like to tell President Barack Obama that the United States has Obama and Haiti has Wyclef Jean.

"My focus on helping Haiti turn a new corner will only grow stronger."

It has long been speculated that the former Fugees star would put himself up to be President of Haiti, and he has admitted it was the earthquakes that ravaged his home country earlier this year that made him apply for candidacy.

He said: "If not for the earthquake, I probably would have waited another 10 years before doing this."

The singer will run against his uncle Raymond Joseph, who is Haiti's current ambassador to the US, ex-Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis and former diplomat Garaudy Laguerre in the November elections.

Wyclef, who was born in Haiti but raised in New York, has resigned as chairman of Yele Haiti - the foundation he established to help the disaster-stricken nation.