Miguel Masaisai, a 23-year-old cyclist from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, embarked on a 14,000km journey for peace on May 1, 2026. His mission, dubbed "Pedals for Peace," aimed to promote peace in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo by cycling from Goma to Rabat, Morocco, passing through 17 African countries. Masaisai's journey was cut short on September 18, when his taxi was involved in an accident near Kabos, about 10km from the Cameroon border.
Masaisai's journey began in Goma, a city occupied by the AFC-M23 coalition supported by Rwanda. He chose cycling as a way to advocate for peace in the region. His route took him through various provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Lomami, and Kinshasa, before crossing into the Republic of Congo. From there, he planned to pass through Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mauritania, and finally, Morocco.
The young cyclist faced numerous challenges on his journey, including volcanic reliefs, mountains, and long savannah roads. He also had to contend with equatorial forests, mechanical issues, and obtaining visas for the countries on his route. Despite these obstacles, Masaisai persevered, covering over 6,500km in 67 days through the Democratic Republic of Congo. He arrived in Kinshasa on August 5 and crossed into Brazzaville on September 6.
After traversing the Republic of Congo, Masaisai's last known stop was Kabos, near Ouesso. However, his journey ended in tragedy when the taxi he was in was involved in an accident while traveling to a repair shop to fix his broken bicycle. Masaisai and the other occupants lost their lives. The exact circumstances of the accident are still being investigated by Congolese authorities.
Masaisai's death has sent shockwaves throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in Goma and Kinshasa, where his adventure was closely followed by locals, youth organizations, and sports enthusiasts. Many are mourning the loss of a young man who chose to respond to war with a message of peace, rather than violence.
The cyclist's mission was widely followed, and his disappearance has sparked an outpouring of emotion. For many, Masaisai represented a generation of Congolese who continue to demand peace. His journey may have been cut short, but his message of peace and unity is expected to live on.
The incident has raised concerns about road safety and the challenges faced by travelers, particularly cyclists, on long-distance journeys. An investigation into the accident is ongoing, and authorities are working to establish the facts surrounding the tragic event.
Key points
- Miguel Masaisai's 14,000km journey for peace ended in a tragic accident near the Cameroon border.
- The 23-year-old cyclist from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed to promote peace in the East of the country.
- Masaisai's death has sparked widespread emotion and mourning in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
