Wyclef Jean deemed ineligible for Haitian presidency, appeal planned

Haitian elections officials announced Friday night (8/20) that hip-hop star Wyclef Jean is ineligible to run for president of the Caribbean nation, but Jean plans to fight the ruling.

Haiti's electoral council gave no explanation for the decision. However, Jean said in a statement that he was rejected because he has not lived in Haiti for the five consecutive years before the Nov. 28 elections, as required by election law. Jean was born in Haiti, but has lived in the U.S. since he was a child. He often travels to his homeland, however, and he retains Haitian citizenship.

"We must all honor the memories of those we've lost -- whether in the earthquake, or at anytime -- by responding peacefully and responsibly to this disappointment," Jean said in a statement on Friday.

On Sunday (8/22), however, Jean took to his Twitter account to write, "We have met all the requirements set by the laws. And the law must be Respected."

Exactly how Jean plans to fight the decision remains in question; there doesn't appear to be a legal mechanism to challenge the electoral council's ruling.