All the speculation about Wyclef Jean's presidential bid in Haiti was for naught, because he's ineligible to run. So said an electoral commission yesterday. The sticking point: five consecutive years of residency in Haiti, which he does not have.
"It is with a heavy heart that I tell you today that the board of elections in Haiti has disqualified me from my run for the presidency of the country," Wyclef Jean said in a statement late Friday night. "Though I disagree with the ruling, I respectfully accept the committeeâs final decision, and I urge my supporters to do the same."
A link to the full message from Wyclef was sent out from his Twitter page early this morning.
Reportedly, United Nations peacekeepers were mobilizing in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince last night and early today to head off any unrest related to the announcement.
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Sending out a prayer for peace and brighter days for the Haitian people.
Sheryl Huggins Salomon is senior editor-at-large of The Root and a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based editorial consultant. Follow her on Twitter.
