Songstress Madonna is due back in Malawi next week for what is expected to be a final court ruling on whether she can adopt a child from the southern African country.

Madonna has been cleared for landing from April 8, said a Senior Official at Lilongwe International Airport.

The American pop star’s attempts to adopt Malawian boy David Banda have been clouded with controversy and critics have accused the government of shirking laws that forbid non-residents from adopting children in Malawi.

The adoption process has been dragging out since 2006 when Madonna first met the boy in an orphanage whilst attempting to raise awareness for the poverty stricken country.

Madonna’s efforts to highlight the ongoing troubles in the southern African country have been lauded, particularly by Malawian Information Minister Patricia Kaliati who said it would be wrong of the government to stand in the way of the adoption.

(by Patrick Smith)