Congolese cyclist Miguel Masaïsaï has died in a road accident in Ouesso, a town in the north of Congo-Brazzaville, near the border with Cameroon. The accident occurred on Friday, September 18, 2026. Official sources from the government of Kinshasa confirmed the news. Masaïsaï was on a mission to cycle across Africa, a journey of approximately 14,000 kilometers, to promote peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Masaïsaï's journey, dubbed "Pedals for Peace," began on May 1, 2026, in Goma, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He aimed to cycle to Rabat, Morocco, passing through several African countries. After traversing the Democratic Republic of Congo from east to west, he arrived in Kinshasa on August 5, 2026, after 67 days and over 6,500 kilometers on the road.
From Kinshasa, Masaïsaï continued his journey into Congo-Brazzaville on September 6, 2026. He passed through Brazzaville, Gamboma, and Oyo, completing his 71st stage on September 14, 2026, after cycling 98 kilometers from Gamboma to Oyo. His planned route would have taken him further north in Congo-Brazzaville, then to Cameroon, before heading to Morocco.
The primary goal of Masaïsaï's "Pedals for Peace" initiative was to promote peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region plagued by conflict involving the M23 rebel group. The conflict has led to accusations that Rwanda is supporting the M23, which Rwanda denies. Masaïsaï also sought to draw international attention to the plight of Goma, his hometown, which has been under rebel control.
This was not Masaïsaï's first long-distance cycling adventure. In 2025, he successfully cycled from Goma to Cape Town, South Africa, passing through Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. His cycling endeavors have been widely followed, with many Congolese tracking his progress on social media.
The exact circumstances of Masaïsaï's accident in Ouesso have not been immediately clarified. His death marks a tragic end to a journey aimed at promoting peace and drawing attention to critical issues in his home region. The government of Kinshasa and other stakeholders are likely to pay tribute to his efforts and legacy.
Masaïsaï's initiative and his tragic death have sparked an outpouring of reactions from various quarters, reflecting his impact on those who followed his journey. As the news of his death spread, many have expressed condolences and highlighted the importance of his peace mission. The legacy of "Pedals for Peace" and Masaïsaï's advocacy for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo will likely continue to resonate.
Key points
- - Miguel Masaïsaï, a Congolese cyclist, died in a road accident in Ouesso, Congo-Brazzaville, on September 18, 2026. - He was on a 14,000-kilometer journey across Africa to promote peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. - Masaïsaï's cycling initiative was called "Pedals for Peace," and he had previously completed a long-distance cycle from Goma to Cape Town in 2025.
