Malawi wants to keep Madonna and child together.
Government officials in the African nation have given their blessing to the Material Mom's bid to adopt David Banda, the 2-year-old boy she met at an orphanage a year and a half ago, urging the High Court to grant its final approval for Madonna to take permanent custody.
According to Reuters, a confidential report, filed March 25 by a probation officer at the Ministry of Women and Child Development, says Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie had done a good job parenting the youngster at their London abode.
"In the best interest of the child, I do recommend the petitioners to your Lordship for your consideration that they be granted an adoption order having proved that they are suitable parents and satisfied the conditions in the Interim Adoption Order," the report reads, per Reuters.
Ever since the couple initiated adoption proceedings in fall 2006, child welfare groups have raised a ruckus, accusing Madonna of using her fame to evade stringent foreign adoption rules instituted to protect children's safety.
The "Ray of Light" singer, however, has blunted much of that criticism by building an orphanage in the impoverished country and hosting an all-star fundraiser benefiting UNICEF and her own Raising Malawi charity.
Such efforts have helped win the backing of Malawian Information Minister Patricia Kaliati, who in February recommended the adoption move forward, telling Reuters that Malawi "owes" Madonna for helping raise money for a country as poor as their own.
The entertainer's attorneys have requested the High Court postpone until the end of the month a hearing scheduled for next week in which Madonna is required to appear due to a scheduling conflict. A judge is expected to issue a ruling on that motion by day's end.
The pop queen has been busy making the publicity rounds promoting her latest album, Hard Candy, which drops April 24.