PPLAAF helps journalist flee and escape threats from secret network linked to Russia
(Paris, November 21, 2024) — Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, the Central African journalist behind the exclusive investigation by Forbidden Stories and its partners, is one of the first to blow the whistle from exile on information manipulation and brutal intimidation by a secret network linked to Russia, the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) said today. Yalike-Ngonzo was recruited by a Russian agent to publish news articles in favour of the Central African army and its new Russian partners, based on propaganda provided to him. He was also required to suppress the opposition’s voice, praise Russia’s presence, and cover up abuses committed by the Wagner mercenary group.
Since 2022, PPLAAF has worked with Forbidden Stories and supported Yalike-Ngonzo to allow him to safely testify on these reprehensible actions. In particular, he detailed how the group targeted Western countries and institutions, notably France, the United States, and the United Nations.
“I came close to being killed but I have no regrets. Blowing the whistle is a way for me to contribute to the return of the rule of law in my country,” said Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo to PPLAAF. “I am denouncing a Russian communication system in the Central African Republic, based on disinformation and machination. I am alerting the public to the many human rights violations committed by the Russians in the Central African Republic “.
Yalike-Ngonzo decided to leave the Central African Republic with his wife and son after receiving a series of threats to his life in March 2022. In early 2024, just as his family was boarding a plane for Europe, he was apprehended and interrogated by local police at the Bangui airport. They seized his passport and all his documents, and summoned him for questioning the following day. He managed to escape and went into hiding in the Central African Republic capital while Russian operatives were looking for him. Without money or personal documents, he managed to cross the Oubangui River which forms the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. PPLAAF helped him find refuge in the DRC while waiting to reach Europe.
“I had to leave the country to reunite with my wife and child, but I no longer had any means or travel documents,” said Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo. “I was in constant contact with PPLAAF. I felt somewhat safe even though I was tracked by dangerous Russian operatives because PPLAAF had the genuine will, given the seriousness of the situation, to save me”.
Forbidden Stories, an international network of investigative journalists whose mission is to pursue the work of silenced reporters, and 10 media partners, including Le Monde, Radio France, RFI, Der Speigel, Paper Trail media, Der Standard, Dossier Center, IStories, The Continent and Actualite.cd, are publishing an exclusive investigation today. It is based primarily on testimonies and documents provided by Yalike-Ngonzo, who took part in Russian influence operations from 2019 to 2022. The journalists were able to identify one of the individuals responsible for the disinformation and his direct links with Yevgeny Prigozhin’s networks, placing Bangui at the forefront of the Russian influence operations on the continent. The investigation also shows how the methods applied in the Central African Republic have been replicated elsewhere in Africa.
Since the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023, the Wagner Group was replaced by the Africa Corps mercenaries. For several years, Wagner has been providing military support to the Central African Government, controlling key resources such as gold and diamond mines, and is responsible for serious human rights abuses. These abuses mainly target civilians perceived to be close to rebel groups and include torture.
“It takes unimaginable courage to stand up to one of the most ruthless groups on the planet,” said Henri Thulliez, Executive Director of PPLAAF. “The manufacture of disinformation denounced by Ephrem plagues entire societies, it shrouds the opinions of whole countries into total darkness. In this respect, Ephrem’s act is especially commendable.”
Forbidden Stories and their partners did not receive comments or answers from the persons named in their publications.
About PPLAAF
The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa is a non-governmental organization established in 2017 to protect whistleblowers and advocate and engage in strategic litigation on their behalf when their revelations deal with the general interests of African citizens.
For more information on the organization, please visit our website at https://pplaaf.org and follow us on Facebook or X.
For more information on the Forbidden Stories investigation, please visit: https://pplaaf.pro/4fC6uj5
