A 23-year-old Congolese cyclist, Miguel Masaisai, has died while undertaking a 17-country cycling journey across Africa to promote peace.
Masaisai, from Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), began his “Pedals for Peace” journey on May 1, with plans to cycle approximately 14,000 kilometres from Goma to Rabat, Morocco.
He had covered more than 6,500 kilometres and reached Kinshasa before continuing his journey into neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville.
However, tragedy struck on September 18 after a mechanical problem developed with his bicycle.
Masaisai reportedly boarded a taxi to get the bicycle repaired. The taxi was later involved in a crash with a truck near Ouesso, close to the Congo-Cameroon border.
Masaisai died in the crash alongside the taxi driver and two other passengers.
His death brings a tragic end to a journey that was intended to use cycling to promote peace and unity across the continent.
Masaisai was no stranger to long-distance cycling. In 2025, he completed a separate cycling journey from Goma to Cape Town, South Africa, demonstrating his commitment to using cycling to connect communities across Africa.
His “Pedals for Peace” journey was intended to take him through 17 African countries before reaching Morocco, but he died before completing the ambitious mission.
