Several sources confirm that Congolese cyclist Miguel Masaisai died on Friday, September 18, in a road accident in Kabos, 9 km from Ntam, on the border between the Republic of Congo and Cameroon. According to eyewitnesses, Masaisai had experienced a bike malfunction and sought help from a taxi driver to get to a location where he could repair his bike and continue his journey. The taxi, carrying two other passengers, was involved in an accident, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants, including the driver.
The circumstances of the accident are still being investigated. Meanwhile, Masaisai's family has not confirmed his death. His younger sister, contacted in Goma on Saturday morning, stated that the family is in touch with the cyclist's manager, who claims that Masaisai is in an area with no phone signal and that his death has not been confirmed. A body believed to be Masaisai's is being held at the Ouesso morgue, awaiting official identification.
Masaisai was on a cycling journey as part of his "Pedals for Peace" initiative, aimed at promoting peace and unity. He had traveled from Goma to Kinshasa and then continued to Brazzaville, with his final destination set to be Rabat, Morocco. The journey, spanning over 14,000 km, was intended to promote peace and unity in the region. Masaisai had previously completed a journey from Goma to Cape Town, South Africa, as part of his peace initiative.
The "Pedals for Peace" initiative has garnered attention and support from various quarters. During his previous journeys, Masaisai had stopped in several cities, including Mbuji-Mayi and Kananga, where he spread his message of peace to the local youth. His journey from Goma to Rabat was seen as a bold move to promote peace and unity in the region.
Radio Okapi had not obtained an official confirmation from Congolese authorities regarding Masaisai's death as of Saturday morning. The cyclist's manager and family are yet to receive official confirmation, and the identification of the body at the Ouesso morgue is still pending.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the cycling community and beyond. Masaisai's initiative had inspired many, and his death has been met with an outpouring of condolences. The incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by cyclists undertaking long-distance journeys, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure and safety measures.
An investigation into the accident is expected to be conducted to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the incident. The findings will likely be made public once the investigation is complete. For now, the cycling community and fans of Masaisai's initiative are left to mourn his passing and reflect on the impact of his message of peace and unity.
Key points
- - Miguel Masaisai, a Congolese cyclist, died in a road accident in the Republic of Congo on September 18. - The accident occurred when the taxi he was in, which was carrying two other passengers, crashed, killing all occupants. - Masaisai's "Pedals for Peace" initiative aimed to promote peace and unity in the region through his long-distance cycling journey.
