Wyclef Jean Confirms Haitian Presidential Run

Wyclef tells Time magazine Haiti's recent earthquake and a "draft" from the youth are fueling his presidential run.

Wyclef Jean will be announcing his candidacy for President of Haiti, according to AllHipHop.com.

A source confirmed that the rapper/singer/producer will make the announcement next Thursday, August 5 - two days prior to the country's August 7 deadline.

As previously reported, Clef revealed to CNN that he had filled out the proper paperwork in order to enter the race, though he was, at the time, undecided.

Wyclef has been at the forefront of the recovery efforts in his homeland, following a tragic earthquake that ravaged the country last January.

Given his popularity and financial resources, analysts predict he would easily win the election, which is slated for November 28.

UPDATE: In an interview with Time.com published Wednesday, Wyclef Jean confirmed he will attempt to become the next president of his native Haiti. The confirmation ends weeks of speculation, as Jean is expected to make another announcement during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" Thursday, August 5.

"If not for the earthquake, I probably would have waited another 10 years before doing this," Jean said Tuesday night. "The quake drove home to me that Haiti can't wait another 10 years for us to bring it into the 21st century."

Jean, collected donations for earthquake relief through his charity, Yele Haiti. While splitting his time between music and his philanthropic efforts, his charity Yele Haiti came under fire.

Haiti's former Chamber of Deputies leader Pierre Eric Jean-Jacques also recently told the Associated Press that his Ansanm Nou Fo party has an agreement with Wyclef Jean regarding his presidential run.

"If I can't take five years out to serve my country as president, then everything I've been singing about, like equal rights, doesn't mean anything," Wyclef added. "My decision is a draft...I've been drafted by the youth."

MAN I FEEL LIKE WYCLEF MIGHT BE WHAT HAITI NEEDS. GOOD LUCK CLEF