Would-be president Wyclef plans language change

Singer Wyclef Jean plans to govern Haiti in English and Creole if he is elected president, setting him apart from his political rivals in the former French colony.

The former Fugees frontman made the comments to Radio Metropole after returning to Haiti from the United States.

Politicians in Haiti traditionally speak mainly Creole and French – the latter for many things being the language of government in Haiti.

Jean’s American-accented Creole and lack of French are constant reminders he did not grow up there.

Jean, who was born in Haiti but raised in New York City, also urged overseas Haitians to invest in Haiti.

Jean announced his candidacy on August 5.