Journalist Exposes Wagner Group's Disinformation in Africa

Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, a journalist from the Central African Republic, has revealed his experience as a pawn in the Russian disinformation machine orchestrated by the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group. Recruited in 2019, he was coerced into writing pro-Russian propaganda, organizing anti-Western protests, and suppressing dissent. After enduring threats and intimidation, Yalike-Ngonzo fled to Europe with assistance from The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa. His accounts highlight the growing influence of Russia in Africa, particularly in the CAR, where Wagner has been linked to numerous human rights abuses while supporting authoritarian regimes. Yalike-Ngonzo aims to shed light on these manipulative tactics to prevent their replication in other countries. His testimony underscores the perilous environment for journalists in the region who are often forced into complicity or face severe repercussions for dissenting.