Wyclef Jean, the Haitian-born hip-hop star who had hoped to run in Haiti’s forthcoming presidential election, has been told he is not eligible to stand. According to the country’s constitution, eligible candidates must have lived in the country for at least five years prior to an election.
Haiti is still recovering from an earthquake in January which killed an estimated 230,000 people and left over a million homeless. Jean has been a vocal campaigner for the relief effort, and this week revealed that he had gone into hiding after receiving death threats over his presidential bid.
In response to the electoral commission’s decision, Jean said:
We must all honour the memories of those we have lost — whether in the earthquake, or at any time — by responding peacefully and responsibly to this disappointment.
I want to assure my countrymen that I will continue to work for Haiti’s renewal. Although the board has determined that I am not a resident of Haiti, home is where the heart is — and my heart has and will always be in Haiti.
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