Musician Wyclef Jean has received a gunshot wound to the hand while campaigning in Haiti for fellow musician and friend Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly, who is contesting a run-off vote taking place today against former first lady Mirlande Manigat.
The shooting occurred in the Delmas area near the capital of Port-au-Prince on Saturday night. Joe Mignon, senior programme director for Jean’s Yele Foundation, stated that Jean was treated at a hospital and later released.
“We are happy that Wyclef is okay but we continue to pray for him and for a peaceful and fair election today in Haiti,” said the Rev Al Sharpton, who has worked with Jean on educational issues and bringing aid to Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake.
Jimmy Rosemond, who assisted in setting up the Martelly campaign concert in Port-au-Prince where Wyclef performed among others last week, said, “It is clear that enemies of progressive change in Haiti are behind the shooting of Wyclef – those that don’t want to accept that a monumental change is inevitable for the betterment of the Haitian people. This incident will not deter those of us that see the election as crucial to the country’s future“.