Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo

Journalist Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo bravely exposes Russian disinformation system in the Central African Republic

“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. 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.”

– Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo.

In November 2024, Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo became the first person to provide insight into Russia’s disinformation machine in the Central African Republic (CAR). Between 2019 and 2022, Yalike-Ngonzo worked for a Russian agent to publish news articles praising the Central African army and its new Russian partners, based on propaganda provided to him. He was required to suppress the opposition’s voice, praise Russia’s presence, and cover up abuses committed by the Wagner mercenary group.

His revelations helped Forbidden Stories and their 10 partners reveal the large-scale Russian machinery in place in the country, from disinformation campaigns to the fabrication of anti-Western protests, and the brutal methods of intimidation.

Originally destined to be a priest, Yalike-Ngonzo ended up studying law and international relations at the Bangui University in CAR, while working at the same time for various journals to finance his studies. In January 2018, Yalike-Ngonzo covered his first story about the Russians for the local newspaper Le Citoyen. Yalike-Ngonzo explains “As a Central African, when I saw the tanks and weapons, I told myself that it was a good thing, that there would soon be peace in the country […] The population was there to applaud them, waving Russian and Central African flags.”

Over a year later, in November 2019, Yalike-Ngonzo met with a young Russian who went by “Micha” and accompanied by “Vladimir,” his interpreter at the time. Micha offered Yalike-Ngonzo the opportunity to publish communications favourable to the army and their new Russian partners in exchange for 30 000 CFA francs (about 47 USD) per article, a significant amount for a Central African wage and a father to be.

However, Yalike-Ngonzo slowly realised he was becoming a cog in a broader Russian operation, working for the Kremlin-backed Wagner forces in the CAR. One event particularly made him question his work with the Russians: When two young Fulani herders were severely injured in Bouar, he had to portray the Russians as the saviours for the official story when, in reality, the Russians had accidentally attacked the Fulani.

He told the Associated Press: “I realised it was against my conscience. They [the Wagner mercenaries] were very close to the military regime. I was scared for my life.”

When the real story came out in the news, the Russians suspected him of leaking the infromation. Yalike-Ngonzo was loaded into a car with tinted windows and taken to the middle of a forest away from Bangui. Isolated and out of sight, he was interrogated – that is when he decided to blow the whistle.

He was put in touch with journalists from Forbidden Stories in 2022 with whom he shared information on his employees, leading to a vast investigation conducted by Forbidden Stories and its partners. Published in November 2024, the investigation revealed the disinformation machine in the CAR.

After receiving threats to his life, Yalike-Ngonzo decided to flee the CAR with his wife and son. He explains that “Staying in the Central African Republic and denouncing it meant risking [my] life.” But, just as his family were boarding the plane, he was apprehended and interrogated by the police at Bangui airport. His passport and documents personal documents were seized, and he was summoned for questioning the next day. Fearing for his safety, Yalike-Ngonzo chose to go into hiding and flee the Central African Republic.

Tracked by the police, he was forced to cross the Ubangi River to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). PPLAAF helped Yalike-Ngonzo go into hiding in the DRC while waiting to reach safety in Europe.

Yalike-Ngonzo is still actively searched for in the Central African Republic, with members of his family having been questioned and State authorities who described him as a journalist who “betrayed his country”.

Since 2022, PPLAAF has worked with Forbidden Stories and supported Yalike-Ngonzo to allow him to testify safely on these reprehensible actions. Yalike-Ngonzo testified publicly, bringing a rare transparency that reinforces the depth and gravity of his statements. Since publication, these revelations have been widely reported, highlighting the troubling nature of disinformation across Africa.

PPLAAF’s Executive Director, Henri Thulliez explains “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.”

PPLAAF is a non-governmental organisation established in 2017 to protect whistleblowers, as well as to advocate and engage in strategic litigation on their behalf when their revelations deal with the general interests of African citizens.