Centrafrican whistleblower denied asylum in France despite Wagner revelations
A centrafrican journalist’s asylum plea rejected in France after exposing Wagner’s operations
The French government has denied asylum to Centrafrican journalist Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, who exposed Wagner Group’s operations in his home country. Despite a special travel permit granted by French authorities in 2024, his asylum request was rejected on July 10.
Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo’s case sends a chilling message to those battling Russian disinformation networks, according to his legal representative. The journalist, who fled the Central African Republic in 2024, had been living in France under a temporary permit after revealing the inner workings of Wagner Group’s propaganda machine. His revelations contributed to European sanctions against Mikhail Prudnikov, a key figure in Moscow’s influence operations in Africa.
A life under threat
Yalike-Ngonzo’s journey began in late 2019 when he was approached by intermediaries offering payments—between 15 and 30 euros per article—for publishing content supportive of the Central African armed forces and their Russian allies. His collaboration lasted until 2024, when he broke ties and exposed Wagner’s tactics in a collaborative investigation.
Following his disclosures, the journalist faced credible death threats from Wagner operatives. He fled to France, where he received a special travel document at the request of French officials. However, on July 10, his formal asylum application was denied, leaving him and his family in legal limbo. A legal appeal was filed the next day, with a decision expected within a year.
Meanwhile, his relatives still in the Central African Republic endure persistent interrogations, pressured to disclose his whereabouts.