Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, a journalist from the Central African Republic, has been denied asylum in France after revealing the operations of the Wagner Group. This decision comes despite the intervention of French President Emmanuel Macron, who had granted him a special travel document to enter the country in 2024.
The rejection of his asylum application sends a stark warning to those fighting against Russian disinformation campaigns, according to his legal representative. Since arriving in France, Yalike-Ngonzo had exposed the inner workings of Moscow’s propaganda system, which was closely tied to the Wagner paramilitary group. His revelations led to European sanctions against Mikhail Prudnikov, a key figure in Russia’s influence operations in the Central African Republic.
From paid propagandist to whistleblower
Yalike-Ngonzo’s journey from a contributor to state-aligned media to a whistleblower began in late 2019. At the time, he received payments ranging from 15 to 30 euros for each article praising the Central African Armed Forces and their Russian allies—amounting to a quarter of his monthly income. His role shifted dramatically in 2024 when he participated in an investigation by Forbidden Stories into Russian influence operations in Africa. Facing death threats from Wagner operatives, he was forced to flee his homeland.
Legal battle and ongoing threats
On July 9, Yalike-Ngonzo filed an appeal with France’s National Asylum Court. A decision is not expected for at least a year. In the meantime, he remains in hiding in France with his family, while relatives back in the Central African Republic are repeatedly questioned by authorities seeking his whereabouts.
The refusal of his asylum request underscores the challenges faced by individuals exposing foreign disinformation networks operating in Africa. The case highlights the risks whistleblowers take when challenging powerful actors with global reach.
