(CNN) -- After seven years in exile, former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide will be back in his homeland Friday, two days ahead of a highly anticipated election, his U.S. attorney said. Aristide was at the privately-owned Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday, said lawyer Ira Kurzban who is accompanying Aristide back to Port-au-Prince along with actor Danny Glover, an Aristide supporter and critic of U.S. objections to his return. A diplomatic source who is not authorized to speak to the media confirmed to CNN that Aristide was boarding an outgoing jet from South Africa Thursday night.
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Aristide is scheduled to fly to Haiti Thursday night
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The former president wants to return to Haiti after seven years in exile
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The White House has opposed his return before Sunday's election
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But Aristide's supporters say no one has the right to block his return
Danny Glover
"I am going to South Africa to show our solidarity with the people of Haiti by standing at the side of the leader they elected twice with overwhelming support: President Jean-Bertrand Aristide," @placeholder said in a statement.