Singer Wyclef Jean to run for Haiti president
Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean plans to run for president of earthquake-ravaged Haiti and will announce his candidacy in the next few days, a former parliament leader has revealed.
Former Chamber of Deputies leader Pierre Eric Jean-Jacques told journalists the Haiti-born hip hop artist and former Fugees frontman will run as part of his coalition in the 28 November election.
Jean's brother, Samuel, later confirmed that the singer would announce his intentions in a televised interview from Haiti on Thursday after filing required documents with the electoral council.
Jean's spokeswoman confirmed that the entertainer planned to make an announcement on Thursday but said she did not know specifics. She added that Jean was preparing a political communications team.
Dozens of candidates are expected to compete for the presidency, among them Jean's uncle Raymond Joseph, who is Haiti's ambassador in Washington. Other likely candidates include former prime ministers, mayors and another popular Haitian musician, Michel "sweet Micky" Martelly.
Jean-Jacques said Jean would be a candidate for a new coalition that calls itself "Ansanm Nou Fo", which translates as "together we are strong" in Creole.