Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, a Centrafrican investigative reporter, has been living in France since 2024 under a special travel document granted by French authorities. His arrival followed his public revelations about the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group’s operations in the Central African Republic, including disinformation campaigns and illicit financial gains. Yet, on July 10, 2026, his application for asylum was formally rejected.

His lawyer condemns the decision as a dangerous precedent, warning it sends a chilling message to those combating Russian propaganda worldwide. “This refusal is a negative signal that undermines efforts to expose foreign interference,” the legal representative stated.

A life under threat

Yalike-Ngonzo’s troubles began in late 2019 when he was approached by Wagner-linked operatives. At the time, he contributed to pro-government media, receiving between 15 and 30 euros per article—a fraction of his monthly salary. His involvement was part of a broader strategy to shape public perception in favor of the Central African government and its Russian allies.

By 2024, after witnessing the group’s violent tactics firsthand, he decided to break his silence. His testimony became pivotal in an international investigation, leading to European sanctions against Mikhaïl Prudnikov, a key figure in Moscow’s influence operations in the region. Wagner’s response was swift: death threats forced him into exile.

Even from France, the pressure persists. Family members still in the Central African Republic are repeatedly interrogated by unidentified individuals demanding information on his whereabouts. His legal team filed an appeal with the National Asylum Court on July 9, but a decision is not expected for at least another year. In the interim, Yalike-Ngonzo remains in hiding with his family, uncertain about his future in a country that once offered him sanctuary.