Rokia Traoré, the internationally renowned Malian singer has been on hunger strike in a French prison for more than a week. As the producer of Rokia’s last two albums we have worked closely together and become friends, and I am deeply concerned by the reports of her deteriorating health.
She is involved in a custody battle over the young daughter she has with her Belgian former partner. I do not know the details of the case and would normally accept this as a matter for a court of law to decide. In the this instance however there are two courts – the Malian and the Belgian – and they appear to have drawn different conclusions. It is a messy situation .
What is clear to me however is that Rokia Traoré should not be being held in jail – particularly at this time when prisons are breeding grounds for the coronavirus. There are many high profile musicians trying to bring attention to her case – Salif Keita, Angélique Kidjo, Damon Albarn - but it is a struggle to be heard over the coronavirus calamity. I add my voice in calling upon the French government to immediately release her, and to take steps to enable the competing courts to find agreement.
John Parish
23rd March 2020