Wyclef Jean has ended his legal challenge against Haiti’s presidential election officials, formally conceding his run after the same officials deemed him ineligible in August. The musician who rose to fame during the ’90’s as a member of the Fugees made the announcement via written statement.
“This was not an easy conclusion to reach,” Jean wrote. “Some battles are best fought off the field, and that is where we take this now. Our ultimate goal in continuing the appeal was to further the people’s opportunity to freely participate in a free and fair democratic process.”
Jean’s presidential bid was denied in late August on the grounds that he had not lived in Haiti for five consecutive years prior to the election. Jean was subsequently told he would not be able to appeal the ruling.
The 40-year-old Grammy award winning artist clashed with actor Sean Penn and former group member Pras Michel during his short-lived bid. But, now he will focus on his upcoming album, If I Were President, the Haitian Experience, which is expected to be released in February of 2011.
