Former Ivory Coast international striker Aboulaye Traore, popularly known as Ben Badi, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of rape. The ruling was delivered by a court in Bouake, according to the Ivorian League for Women’s Rights, which hailed the judgment as a significant milestone in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.
Traore, who remains a celebrated figure in Ivorian football history, was part of the national team that won the 1992 African Cup of Nations. His career also included stints with Abidjan’s ASEC Mimosas and European clubs such as FC Metz in France and Braga in Portugal. Despite his sporting achievements, his conviction has cast a shadow over his legacy.
The women’s rights group confirmed that, in addition to the prison term, the court ordered Traore to pay 15 million CFA francs (approximately $26,700) in compensation to the victim. He was also handed a five-year ban from appearing in the central region of Ivory Coast. The organization described the ruling as a “significant advance in the fight against impunity for sexual and sexist violence,” noting that such cases often face challenges in prosecution.
According to judicial sources, the case dates back to March 2021, when Traore was accused of engaging in non-consensual sexual relations with a 21-year-old woman. After a lengthy legal process, the Bouake court found him guilty, leading to Wednesday’s sentencing.
The verdict has sparked widespread discussion in Ivory Coast, where Traore’s popularity as a football icon had long shielded him from public scrutiny. Advocates for women’s rights argue that the ruling sends a strong message that no individual, regardless of status or fame, is above the law.
Observers note that the case highlights broader issues of sexual violence across West Africa, where victims often struggle to obtain justice due to social stigma, limited resources, and weak enforcement mechanisms. The Ivorian League for Women’s Rights emphasized that the judgment should serve as a precedent for future cases, encouraging victims to come forward and authorities to pursue prosecutions more vigorously.
Traore’s conviction also underscores the growing role of civil society organizations in pushing for accountability. By publicly supporting the victim and monitoring the trial, the women’s rights group played a crucial role in ensuring that the case received attention and that justice was delivered.
While Traore’s football achievements remain part of Ivory Coast’s sporting history, his sentencing marks a dramatic fall from grace. For many, the case is a reminder that the fight against sexual violence requires both institutional commitment and societal change.
As Ivory Coast continues to grapple with issues of gender-based violence, the ruling against one of its most famous athletes may prove to be a turning point in efforts to strengthen justice and protect victims.
