A centrafrican journalist’s fight for asylum after exposing Wagner’s operations

A whistleblower from the Central African Republic, Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, has been denied asylum in France despite his groundbreaking revelations about the Wagner Group’s activities in his home country. The decision marks a troubling setback for those who risk everything to expose Russian disinformation campaigns in Africa.

In 2024, Mr. Yalike-Ngonzo found sanctuary in France after exposing the inner workings of Moscow’s propaganda machine, which had been actively promoting the Wagner Group’s interests in the Central African Republic. His revelations contributed to European sanctions against a key Russian propagandist, Mikhail Prudnikov, who orchestrated disinformation campaigns in support of Wagner’s operations.

From paid propagandist to whistleblower

Mr. Yalike-Ngonzo’s journey began in late 2019 when he was approached by Wagner-affiliated operatives while working as a journalist. He was offered financial incentives—ranging from 15 to 30 euros per article—to publish content favorable to the Central African military and its Russian allies. These payments amounted to roughly a quarter of his monthly salary at the time.

His transformation into a whistleblower came in 2024 when he collaborated with an international investigation into Russian influence operations in Africa. Facing imminent death threats from Wagner operatives, he was forced to flee his country, leaving behind his loved ones who now endure persistent interrogations from authorities seeking his whereabouts.

Legal battle and ongoing threats

Following the rejection of his asylum request, Mr. Yalike-Ngonzo’s legal team filed an appeal with France’s National Court of Asylum on July 9. The appeal process is expected to take up to a year, during which he remains in hiding with his family in France. Meanwhile, his relatives in the Central African Republic continue to face pressure from security forces demanding information about his location.

His lawyer condemned the decision as a “severely negative signal” to those combating Russian propaganda, emphasizing the risks whistleblowers face when challenging powerful entities. Despite the setback, Mr. Yalike-Ngonzo remains committed to his fight for justice and safety.