The Congolese press is paying tribute to Miguel Masaïsaï, a 23-year-old cyclist from Goma who died in a traffic accident in Congo-Brazzaville on September 18. Masaïsaï was on a journey to promote peace, dubbed "Pedals for Peace," and had been cycling for months, covering over 6,500 kilometers through several African countries. His initiative aimed to spread a message of peace, particularly in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to Infos 27, Masaïsaï had set out from Goma on May 1 with the ambition of reaching Rabat, Morocco, a journey of nearly 14,000 kilometers. The young cyclist's message of peace resonated with many, and his journey was seen as a symbol of hope and unity in the region. La Prospérité described him as the "Messenger of Peace" and highlighted his commitment to promoting peace beyond the realm of sports.
Actualite.cd reported that Masaïsaï had reached Kinshasa on August 5, after 67 days of cycling, and had continued his journey through Congo-Brazzaville, passing through Brazzaville, Gamboma, and Oyo. His planned route would have taken him to the north of Congo-Brazzaville, Cameroon, and eventually Morocco. The newspaper retraced his steps in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he had traveled through the Kasai and Bandundu regions.
The Agence congolaise de presse (ACP) hailed Masaïsaï's initiative as a testament to his commitment to peace and a legacy for the youth of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The agency drew parallels between Masaïsaï's peaceful approach and the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King in the United States.
The Congolese Minister of Sports and Leisure, Didier Budimbu, paid tribute to Masaïsaï on social media, praising his courage and commitment to promoting peace and unity in the Great Lakes region. Budimbu expressed his condolences to Masaïsaï's family and the national sports community, highlighting the cyclist's efforts to bring hope and peace to the people of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Le Potentiel reported that Masaïsaï's journey was not his first long-distance cycling adventure, having previously traveled from Goma to Cape Town, South Africa, in 2025. The newspaper also noted that Masaïsaï had sought to raise awareness about the situation in Goma and the alleged support of the Rwandan government for the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa accuses of destabilizing the region.
Tributes and reflections on Masaïsaï's life and initiative continue to pour in, with many calling for his legacy to live on through the youth of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country's press has hailed him as a symbol of peace and a role model for young people, who are encouraged to pursue his vision of a more peaceful and united Africa.
Key points
- - Miguel Masaïsaï was a 23-year-old cyclist from Goma who died in a traffic accident in Congo-Brazzaville on September 18 while on a peace journey. - His initiative, "Pedals for Peace," aimed to promote peace and unity in the Great Lakes region, covering nearly 14,000 kilometers through several African countries. - The Congolese press and government have paid tribute to Masaïsaï, hailing him as a symbol of peace and a role model for young people.
