A Central African Journalist’s Descent into Disinformation and His Eventual Escape
In the heart of Africa, a tale of manipulation, fear, and ultimately, redemption unfolds. Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, a Central African journalist, found himself entangled in a web of Russian disinformation, orchestrated by the notorious Wagner Group. His journey, marked by both complicity and remorse, serves as a stark warning about the insidious nature of propaganda and the courage it takes to break free. Yalike’s story, pieced together by Forbidden Stories, a collaborative investigative journalism project, exposes the machinery of misinformation employed by the Wagner Group in the Central African Republic (CAR), a nation grappling with instability and conflict.
Yalike’s descent began with a seemingly irresistible offer. In 2019, a Russian operative known as Micha, later identified as Mikhail Mikhailovitch Prudnikov, approached Yalike, dangling a monthly sum of 200,000 CFA francs (approximately $320)—more than double his salary as editor-in-chief of a local pro-government website. The lure of financial security in a struggling media landscape proved too tempting to resist. Yalike agreed to disseminate pro-Kremlin narratives, marking the beginning of his three-year stint as a purveyor of propaganda.
What started as a financially motivated compromise quickly escalated into a complex operation. Prudnikov, revealed to be closely linked to the Wagner mercenary group, promoted Yalike to lead Wagner’s media relations efforts in CAR. This new role came with a significant pay raise and the responsibility of managing a network of young social media influencers. Equipped with 30 smartphones, Yalike orchestrated a campaign of fake news, carefully cultivating a pro-Wagner narrative within the digital sphere. The operation extended beyond the online realm, with Yalike organizing staged demonstrations designed to portray popular discontent against France, the UN, and the West.
Regular meetings with Prudnikov at the Roux military camp, Wagner’s headquarters in Bangui, became the nerve center of this disinformation machine. Yalike received and distributed funds, paying local journalists, editors, and radio hosts to amplify the pro-Russian messaging. This systematic approach ensured the spread of propaganda across multiple media platforms, saturating the information landscape and manipulating public perception.
However, Yalike’s conscience eventually began to gnaw at him. The task of covering up Wagner’s human rights abuses and atrocities became increasingly unbearable. He witnessed firsthand the brutality of the mercenaries and the extent of their influence within the CAR government and military. He recounts being pressured to produce specific narratives, forcing him to abandon journalistic integrity and participate in a calculated manipulation of truth. The story of five Wagner truck drivers, accused of fuel theft and brutally tortured, became a turning point. Yalike was suspected of leaking the story, leading to veiled threats from Prudnikov and escalating fears for his safety.
The Ndachima incident, as it became known, served as a chilling reminder of the dangers inherent in working for the Wagner Group. Accused of treason, Yalike found himself facing the very violence he had been tasked with concealing. The incident underscored the precarious position of journalists caught in the crosshairs of powerful actors operating with impunity. Fearing for his life, Yalike made the difficult decision to flee. After ensuring the safety of his wife and child, he escaped CAR, leaving behind the life he once knew.
Yalike’s experience exposes a broader pattern of Wagner’s operations in fragile states. Exploiting weak governance and institutional vulnerabilities, the group has established a presence in several countries, often employing disinformation campaigns to gain influence and control. Their activities in CAR are described by The Sentry, an investigative watchdog, as a "blueprint for state capture," highlighting the systematic dismantling of democratic processes and institutions. Wagner’s training of local forces, which reportedly includes instruction in torture techniques, further underscores the group’s disregard for human rights.
Now in exile, Yalike grapples with a mix of shame and relief. While regretting his complicity in the disinformation campaign, he finds solace in the belief that the propaganda ultimately failed to sway public opinion. Despite the pervasive fear of speaking out against the Russians, the people of CAR remain skeptical, their trust eroded by the group’s actions. Yalike’s story serves as a testament to the enduring power of truth and the courage it takes to expose lies, even in the face of grave danger. His experience underscores the importance of independent journalism and the need to protect journalists who risk their lives to hold power accountable.