It’s difficult to speak about Wyclef’s situation because we know that he’s not going to be able to run. From what I understand [residency] is not officially the reason why he was denied. There was no official reason said, so far all of those are just speculations. But at the same time I have to say his involvement brought a lot of light on the situation because now everybody knows there’s an election going on, November 28. So now everybody has to try our best to have a good election, to select a good president and work toward rebuilding Haiti.

I would just have to take some time to study each of the candidates to know who they are, what they’ve been doing for the past 10 to 20 years and look at the plans that they have for the future of Haiti. So based on the response I would get from those candidates, that’s how I would know who I would be able to vote for.

But one thing I’ll say about the Haitian Diaspora is that we need to include the whole Diaspora because without the Haitian Diaspora, then Haiti will not be going anywhere. We all have to work together. Everybody needs to come together, put their egos aside and take care of the country. Whether it’s going to be politicians from Haiti or politicians from outside of Haiti, it doesn’t matter. The problem is bigger than the person, them selves.

⎯As Told To Starrene Rhett

Wyclef Jean charged Monday that Haiti’s provisional election council (CEP) used “trickery” and violated the constitution to reject his candidacy for president.

“Even before our work began, friends in Haiti and abroad had warned me that much trickery would be used to block me. The result: CEP has proved it true,” he said.

“They violated the constitution to benefit their families and their friends who continue to live off the people’s money,” Jean said. “Are you going to continue to support people who do not respect the fundamental law of the country?”

“While you mobilize without let up to force them to respect your rights, I am going to continue to fly the flag of Haiti. Stay well, the work has just begun,” he said.

source: http://news-briefs.ew.com

The reasons behind my thinking Wyclef is a good choice for president are based on pure logic. It has been two hundred and six years since Haiti became a free nation, but very little change has occurred. A young celebrity like Wyclef would bring the necessary clout that would help bring much needed tourism to Haiti. Many other third world country’s economies are based on mainly tourism.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/a-few-thoughts-on-why-wyclef/

Wyclef Jean’s presidential hopes appear to have been killed softly. The Haitian hip-hop star’s name does not appear on the list of approved candidates for the country’s upcoming election, Reuters reported Thursday, quoting a source.

“He is not on the list as I speak,” said an election council official who had seen the list that is set to be made public Friday.

Jean, 40, filed papers this month stating his intention to run for president of his earthquake-ravaged homeland. But questions were quickly raised about whether Jean met the country residency requirements. He was born in Haiti, but left the country when he was 9 and grew up in New York and New Jersey. Others also pointed to many irregularities in the accounting for Jean’s charity Yele.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian President Rene Preval has meet with 2010 presidential hopeful Wyclef Jean for more than two hours, discussing everything from the hip hop artist’s safety to relations with the neighboring Dominican Republic. Jean tells the Associated Press that he felt Thursday’s exchange with Rene Preval was positive.

Earlier in the week, Jean said he had received death threats. Jean said Preval expressed concern and offered Jean security.

Wyclef Jean and several dozen other presidential candidates — are scheduled to find out Friday if the country’s electoral council allows them to run for office.

Haiti’s presidential candidate and hip hop artist Wyclef Jean , center, is seen surrounded by security at his mother’s house in Croix de Bouquets, Haiti, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010. Jean says he has received death threats, which is why he is in seclusion until the electoral list is released. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

411mania.com

According to 411mania.com Sarodj Bertin said, “I really admire Wyclef, he’s a great singer and a really recognized Haitian artist – but I do not know if he’s going to arrive to his political objectives,”.

“After the [earthquake], we need someone that really knows this position and has studied politics, and really knows Haitian society. We’re not in a place right now where we can just try people out. If Wyclef thinks he has the capacity then maybe he can arrive, I wish him good luck, but I we need to look at really moving the country forward politically.”

“Even if Wyclef arrives or not politically, I do ask him to still help the country. It is his country and we still need him,” she added.

The issue is central in Haiti where hundreds of thousands have emigrated to flee poverty and the money they send to relatives back home is a vital source of income in the earthquake-ravaged Caribbean nation.

Currently, Haitians who emigrate must renounce their Haitian citizenship if they become citizens of another country, making them unable to vote or run for office in their homeland. Jean himself left Haiti for New York City when he was nine, but never sought U.S. citizenship.

The former Fugees frontman told The Associated Press that his presidency would be a “bridge” between the Haitians abroad and those living in the country.

“The future is dual citizenship,” he said, adding that many countries, including the neighboring Dominican Republic, allow citizens to hold two passports.

Haitians abroad “should have the right to vote in their country,” especially since they send billions in remittances to family members.

“If they are the ones who keep this country alive, they should have some kind of say on what kind of government structure there is,” the 40-year-old singer said.

1. His international fame would ensure that Haiti commands steady media attention.
2. He can be a spokesman for the country, despite his poor French and Creole language skills.
3. He can lure investors into Haiti where missionaries and aid workers run roughshod over everyone.
4. He can be a catalyst to get the international community to see the virtue in getting competent Haitians living abroad to come back to Haiti.
5. He can inspire youth from around the world to come to Haiti
6. He can deliver on his promises if he keeps them real
7. He can galvanize the population that has grown cynical about the political process
8. He will not likely be as susceptible corruption
9. He will help develop art and culture institutions in a country with none but brimming with talent.
10. He will stop the five decade old brain drain

You can read Pierre’s original article at The Grio