Congolese cyclist Miguel Masaisai, 23, has died in a road crash while undertaking a 17-country cycling expedition across Africa aimed at promoting peace.
Masaisai, from Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, began his “Pedals for Peace” journey on May 1, targeting a gruelling 14,000-kilometre route from Goma to Rabat, Morocco.
He had already covered more than 6,500 kilometres and reached Kinshasa before continuing his journey into neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville.
Tragedy struck on September 18 after Masaisai’s bicycle developed a mechanical problem. He reportedly boarded a taxi to take the bicycle for repairs.
The taxi later crashed into a truck near Ouesso, close to the Congo-Cameroon border, killing Masaisai, the driver and two other passengers.
His death has brought a tragic end to a journey that was intended to use sport and endurance to promote peace and unity across the continent.
Masaisai was no stranger to long-distance cycling. In 2025, he cycled from Goma to Cape Town, South Africa, demonstrating his commitment to using cycling to connect communities across Africa.
His “Pedals for Peace” expedition was conceived as another ambitious effort to traverse the continent while drawing attention to the message of peace.
The 23-year-old’s death cuts short a journey that had already taken him thousands of kilometres across Central Africa, leaving behind a story of determination, adventure and a campaign for peace that ended in tragedy.
