Wyclef Jean for Haiti president: Four challenges he'll face

Brother Sam dismisses suggestiongs that a formal education is necessary to run for president. “If running for office means one has to be a highly educated candidate, then a lot of candidates would not pass the test and democracies would be run by elites,” he says. The more important question, he says, is: “Can you articulate the needs of Haiti? None of that is contingent on having a classic education.”

3. Political ideology unknown

Nor does Wyclef fit into the classic mold of a politician rising through the ranks: He has never held public office, and his political ideology remains largely unknown.

“I would be hard-pressed to tell you what he believes in. I don’t know if he’s on the left or on the right,” says Eduardo Gamarra, a political science professor at Florida International University.

Wyclef does not fit into any clear ideological mold, says his brother.

“I would use the term progressive,” he says. “A lot of the issues here in America, such as gun control, the death penalty, taxation, don’t really translate to Haiti.” There, he added, “We’re talking about basic nation building.”

Wyclef is expected to run on the ticket of the new coalition party Ensemble Nous Faut (We Must Do It Together), which was formed by Pierre Eric Jean-Jacques, former leader of the country’s Chamber of Deputies. Wyclef in 2005 voted for current President René Préval, a close ally of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

“If he wins, he will have a cabinet that has a broad coalition… a cabinet of reconciliation,” says Sam Jean.

4. Problems at Yéle

Yet another potential challenge is Wyclef’s management skills. “Everything I’ve heard is that his management skills are not what make him attractive,” says Professor Gamarra of Florida International University.

Wyclef has been accused of enriching himself through his non-profit Yéle Haiti, which raised more than $9 million for earthquake relief. Days after the Jan. 12 earthquake, a report in The Smoking Gun claimed that Wyclef and his business partner charged the foundation at least $410,000 for rent, production services, and a performance at a 2006 benefit concert. Moreover, the NGO paid for airtime on a Haitian radio station owned in part by Wyclef.

Wyclef offered an apology, but insisted he never personally gained financially from the NGO.

Sam Jean says that independent auditors looked into all allegations and found no misconduct. He adds that the radio time from Wyclef’s station was the cheapest of all advertising options. “These stories are designed to attack a person’s credibility without presenting the full picture,” he says.

Wyclef officially resigned from Yéle on Aug. 4, according to a statement from the organization, in order to focus on his campaign.

"While my role with Yéle may be changing, I am not stepping down in my commitment to Haiti," Wyclef said in a statement. "On the contrary, regardless of what path I take next, one thing is certain – my focus on helping Haiti turn a new corner will only grow stronger.”

IN PICTURES: Wyclef for President

(With additional research from Leigh Montgomery)

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