At a time when hip-hop star Wyclef Jean left Haiti on Friday, the clouds were beginning to accumulate over his candidacy for president of the country between corruption charges and questions about his eligibility."I'm leaving because of family obligations, but I will return in a few weeks into the campaign," promised the singer speaking in Creole at a press conference near the international airport of Port-au-Prince.
"I will not abandon the movement because the kids and the academics are raised with me. I thank them and the people who accompanied me yesterday," added the singer after a brief visit in the country carried on board his private jet with his wife and daughter.
Wyclef Jean, who became famous at the time he was part of "The Fugees", has little political experience but is applying for the election of 28 November as a last chance to save his country.
Haiti is struggling with extreme poverty, aggravated by the devastating earthquake of 12 January, which killed 250,000 people and cost the country 120% of its GDP, according to the IMF.
"The United States Obama, here you will Wyclef," the singer launched on Thursday in his first public statement as he left the polling station where he had to register his candidacy.
But even before the launch of the campaign for the presidency, which had 14 candidates Friday, Wyclef Jean sees obstacles stand in his way. Others asked about the skills of a pop star to lead the country, and the question of eligibility is also on the table.
The Haitian Constitution requires effective five years' residence in the country to stand for president. The electoral commission will decide Aug. 17 whether the singer, who emigrated to New York with his family when he was a child, meets this criterion.
Wyclef Jean is also facing accusations that he had embezzled some funds for earthquake victims and committed to his Yéle Haiti Foundation, founded in 2005.
Earlier this year, the singer collapsed in tears as denying any wrongdoing, despite a 2006 tax return, revealing that one third of the donations collected were used to cover expenses without a humanitarian nature.
According to the Smoking Gun website, it should also $ 2.1 million to U.S. tax.
The singer must not only overcome these obstacles, but also convince his skills, not just the charisma needed to lead the country.
U.S. actor Sean Penn, very involved in aid to Haiti, expressed his reservations on Thursday evening on the nomination of Wyclef Jean. "There has been virtually silent for us in Haiti, a non-presence," lamented the actor.
"I want someone who will really, really, to sacrifice for his country and not just someone that I personally saw a convoy of luxury cars, displaying a richness that seems misplaced in Haiti," added the actor.
Even Pras Michel, Wyclef Jean and cousin who was his sidekick in the side of the Fugees singer Lauryn Hill, sulking this nomination, according to the New York Daily News. Quoted by the newspaper, the musician announced his support for another candidate, Michael Martell, "because he is more competent to make this work"
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