Malian singer and global music icon Rokia Traoré has been detained in Belgium, marking a significant turn in her years-long child custody battle.
According to the BBC, Traoré, 50, was extradited from Italy after losing an appeal against a two-year prison sentence issued in absentia by a Belgian court in 2020.
The case centers on her refusal to comply with a court order to return her daughter to the child’s father, Belgian national Jan Goossens.
Traoré’s legal troubles began when she was arrested in France in 2020 on a Belgian warrant. Despite her release under conditions, she defied a travel ban by flying to Mali.
In 2023, she was arrested in Rome en route to a concert, leading to her eventual extradition to Belgium.
The dispute revolves around custody of Traoré’s nine-year-old daughter, who has resided in Mali since the age of four. Goossens, her father, alleges he has had no contact with her for years.
Both parties, according to Traoré’s lawyer, Vincent Lurquin, are seeking an agreement prioritizing the child’s interests, which could avert further prison time.
Traoré, renowned for her work as a vocalist and UNHCR goodwill ambassador, has won numerous accolades, including the BBC Award for World Music and the Victoires de la Musique prize.
Mali’s government has previously supported Traoré, citing her diplomatic status.
The Belgian state prosecutor confirmed that Traoré would remain detained as she appeals the prison sentence, a process that could lead to a new trial.
