Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean flew into the Caribbean nation asking Haitians, especially the young, to support his presidential bid.
Cruising the streets in an entourage of vehicles, Wyclef Jean outlined why he believes he should be president.
“The United States has Obama, here you’re going to have Wyclef,” proclaimed the ex Fugees singer.
“We have to live together, work together to change Haiti, open more schools.
“I’m asking you not for money, but your power for change.”
However, not everyone is impressed by Jean’s presidential ambitions. Actor Sean Penn runs a tent city in Haiti to help victims of January’s devastating earthquake.
“He has been virtually silent, for those of us in Haiti he has been a non-presence,” Penn told CNN, reminding viewers about allegations Jean misused more than 400,000 dollars donated to his charity.
“So, I want to see someone who is really, really willing to sacrifice for their country and not just someone who I personally saw with a vulgar entourage of vehicles that demonstrated a wealth in Haiti that — in context — I felt a very obscene demonstration.”
Jean had denied misusing the funds to his charity, the Yele Haiti Foundation, and many Haitians would like to see him as president.
“I’ll vote on one condition: if Wyclef is in the race,” Emmanuelle, a 21-year-old street peddler, told AFP Thursday.
Speaking to CNN, Jean outlined what he would do as president.
“I think 200 years we have suffered the exact same thing and what I’m saying is when you vote for Wyclef Jean, you basically try something new,” Jean said.
“I represent the voice of the youth which is over 50 percent of the population.”
“When I look at the situation of Haiti as a kid, I think the focus right now should definitely be on education, job creation, agriculture, security, and health care.”
At least five others have already registered their bids to run for president of Haiti.
Here’s Wyclef Jean talking about his presidential bid.
Related stories: Wyclef Jean may run for president
Tags: Wyclef Jean president, presidential bid, presidential candidate, hip-hop star, Fugees, Haiti, Haitian president
