Wyclef Jean says he will run for president of Haiti

It has been reported that singer Wyclef Jean will announce that he intends to run for president of Haiti on CNN’s “Larry King Live” Thursday night, a source close to the Haitian recording artist said on Tuesday.

Jean has been an outspoken proponent of Haiti through his Yele Foundation and was one of the first celebrities to offer aid after the devastating earthquake there in January. He told CNN late last month that he has filled out the necessary paperwork to make a run at the country’s highest office.

The Huffington Post reports that the singer is considering running for president but has not yet decided whether to seek a five-year term as the leader of the quake-ravaged country.

Jean was appointed as ambassador-at-large for Haiti by President Rene Preval, who cannot seek re-election, and since then there have been rumours of Jean entering the 2010 presidential contest. Jean’s family emailed a statement to the media stating, “Wyclef’s commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward ... If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately.”

The singer has been raising money through his Yele Haiti Foundation in recent years, the organisation was criticised for alleged financial irregularities after the January 12 earth quake. On investigation it was revealed that the organisation had bought advertising air time from a television station Jean co-owns and paid him to perform at fundraisers.

Jean, 37, was born in Haiti, but left the country as a child and grew up in New York City’s Brooklyn area. He shot to fame in the mid-1990s as a member of The Fugees, a US-based hip-hop and reggae group. He performs now as a solo artist.

Shirley Temple Black

The history of actors stepping into mainstream politics dates back to 1967, a time when Shirley Temple Black represented the Republicans and ran for elections to replace California Congressman Arthur Younger.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

After being a part of several humanitarian campaigns, Arnold Schwarzenegger was selected Governor of California from the Republican block. Now the actor has appointed another showbiz celebrity Geena Davis to the California Commission on the Status of Women.

Clint Eastwood

Hollywood’s veteran director and actor Clint Eastwood won the elections for the mayor of Carmel, California in 1986, the only time he ran for a political office.

Tariq Aziz

Tariq Aziz, known for “Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz” originally titled “Neelaam Ghar”, began his acting career with film and television. Stepping into politics, Aziz sought Muslim League’s nomination and won in the 1992 elections for the national assembly.

Shafi Mohammad

Senior television actor late Shafi Mohammad, known for his performance in Chand Girahan, Aanch and Marvi, joined Pakistan Peoples Party towards the second half of his showbiz career. Mohammad contested 2002 general elections on PPP’s ticket but lost.

Syed Kamal

Syed Kamal began his career with film and later joined television. The actor entered mainstream politics and contested from Karachi but did not win.

Musarrat Shaheen

Pashtu film actor and theatre performer Musarrat Shaheen is among the few female celebrities who tried their hands in politics. After retiring from her film career, she became the founder chairperson of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Masawat.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2010.