Tomeka Thiam filed for divorce from singer Akon on Thursday, citing "irreconcilable difference," court papers obtained by People show. The filing seeks joint legal custody and physical custody of the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, requests spousal support for Thiam and asks the court to bar Akon from seeking spousal support from her. The date of separation is listed as "TBD."
The filing came four days before the couple’s wedding anniversary; Akon and Thiam were married on Sept. 15, 1996. Akon, born Alioune Badara Thiam and 52 years old, has not issued a public response, and a Daily Mail request for comment from a representative had not been returned.
The situation is complicated by Akon’s family arrangements. He is from Senegal, where polygamy is legal, and has been reported to have multiple spouses and nine children. After news of the filing circulated on social media, Amirah-Iman Thiam — who has been publicly linked to Akon and appeared in promotional material for his label — posted a photo with the artist and a diamond-ring emoji. The post included a soundtrack and expressed affection but did not directly address the divorce filing.
Thiam’s court documents, as reported by People, specify custody arrangements for the couple’s 17-year-old and seek financial support for herself. The papers list separation as "to be determined." There is no public information in the filing that indicates an agreement or settlement between the parties.
Akon’s profile in recent years has included a mix of music projects and large-scale business ventures. He rose to international fame in the early 2000s with hits from his 2004 debut album, and later pursued plans for a multi-billion-dollar development in Senegal that he described as inspired by the film Black Panther. In July, Akon announced he was abandoning the proposal to build the futuristic, self-sustaining city after what he said were funding, construction and legal challenges; Senegalese authorities have since indicated the land will be repurposed for more conventional tourism and infrastructure projects tied to the country’s hosting of the 2026 Junior Olympic Games in Dakar.
The singer has also faced isolated controversies while performing and promoting projects abroad. In recent months he was accused of striking a security guard during a performance in Russia; Akon has not publicly commented on that allegation. Musically, he has remained active but has acknowledged that recent singles have not matched the commercial success of his earlier hits.
The divorce filing arrives as both personal and professional chapters of Akon’s life remain under public scrutiny. Court records obtained by People form the basis of the reported claims in Thiam’s petition, and neither Akon nor Thiam has made an extensive public statement about the filing beyond the documents. The Daily Mail and other outlets have sought comment from representatives for the parties.
Legal proceedings in family matters can evolve over months, and filings often trigger additional motions and hearings. The immediate requests in Thiam’s petition—custody, spousal support and a prohibition on her husband seeking support—set the initial terms the court will consider as the case moves forward.