Whistleblower exposing Wagner’s operations in Central African Republic denied asylum in France
Central African journalist Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, who exposed Russian Wagner group operations, has been denied asylum in France despite receiving a travel permit at Emmanuel Macron’s request.
A harsh setback for those fighting Kremlin propaganda: France has refused asylum to Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, the Central African journalist who exposed the inner workings of Russian disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the Wagner paramilitary group. After fleeing death threats linked to his revelations, Yalike-Ngonzo arrived in France in 2024 under a special travel permit secured with the intervention of French authorities.
His groundbreaking testimony, shared in 2024 during an investigation into Russian influence operations in Africa, revealed how he had been recruited by Wagner-linked networks. Between late 2019 and early 2024, he received payments ranging from fifteen to thirty euros per article—equivalent to a quarter of his monthly salary—published in support of the Central African military and its Russian allies. These payments were part of a larger strategy to amplify pro-Russian narratives in the region.
From paid propagandist to hunted whistleblower
Yalike-Ngonzo’s decision to break his silence came at great personal risk. Following his revelations, Wagner operatives issued explicit death threats, forcing him into immediate exile. His disclosures later contributed to European Union sanctions against Mikhail Prudnikov, a key figure in Moscow’s propaganda network in the Central African Republic.
The French authorities’ denial of his asylum request, delivered this week, has sent shockwaves through the community of journalists and activists battling Russian disinformation in Africa. The decision was met with concern from legal representatives, who warn it sends a dangerous message to others considering exposing state-backed disinformation campaigns.
Legal recourse and ongoing danger
On Thursday, Yalike-Ngonzo’s legal team filed an appeal with the National Asylum Court. The process is expected to take up to a year, during which he and his family remain in hiding across France. Back in the Central African Republic, his relatives face relentless pressure from unknown actors attempting to extract information about his whereabouts.
As the appeal unfolds, the case highlights the precarious position of whistleblowers in conflict zones and authoritarian-leaning states, where speaking out can mean the difference between life and death.
