Wyclef Not Giving Up on Presidential Hopes

Despite this weekend’s announcement that Wyclef Jean would not be allowed to run for president of Haiti, the hip-hop vet says he’s not giving up on his campaign just yet.

Initially when the ruling was handed down, Jean said he would not protest. “I was inspired to run for president because I know Haiti can become great with the right leadership, and I believe I could be that leader,” he said. “But ultimately, we must respect the rule of law in order for our island to become the great nation we all aspire for it to be.”

Now, however, just more than 48 hours later, he has changed his tone. According to The New York Times, Clef is claiming that because he was appointed as roving ambassador in 2007, he was permitted to live outside of Haiti. The Grammy-winner told the Associated Press that he plans to have his lawyers file an appeal with the national electoral dispute office.

The decision to prohibit Clef from running likely stemmed from the committee, the CEP, ruling that he had not lived in Haiti for the last five years, as is mandated for prospective candidates by Haitian law.—Adam Fleischer