Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, a Centrafrican investigative journalist, has been living in France since 2024 after exposing the inner workings of Russian propaganda networks linked to the Wagner Group. His revelations led to sanctions against Mikhaïl Prudnikov, a key figure in Moscow’s influence operations in Central Africa. Yet, on July 10, 2026, his request for asylum was formally denied by French authorities, despite having been granted a special pass to enter the country at the behest of President Emmanuel Macron.

His legal team has condemned the decision as a “severely negative signal” to those fighting against Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns. “This sends a chilling message to whistleblowers and journalists risking everything to uncover the truth,” stated his lawyer. The ruling has left Yalike-Ngonzo and his family in legal limbo, forced to remain in hiding while his legal team files an urgent appeal with the National Asylum Court.

From paid propagandist to anti-Wagner whistleblower

Yalike-Ngonzo’s involvement with Wagner began in late 2019, when he was approached by local operatives while working for several news outlets. He admitted receiving between €15 and €30—nearly a quarter of his monthly salary—for each article he published praising the Central African armed forces and their Russian allies. His transformation into a whistleblower came after he was threatened by Wagner operatives, forcing him to flee the country in 2023.

His testimony became a cornerstone of a 2024 international investigation into Russian influence operations in Africa. The findings contributed to the European Union imposing sanctions on Prudnikov, a senior figure in the Kremlin’s propaganda machine in the region. Despite these high-profile consequences, French authorities have now turned their back on the journalist whose courageous disclosures helped expose Moscow’s covert strategies.

On July 9, 2026, his legal team filed an appeal. If granted, the court hearing could take up to a year to resolve. Until then, Yalike-Ngonzo remains in hiding in France, while his relatives in Centrafrique face persistent interrogations and pressure to reveal his whereabouts.