Congolese cyclist dies in crash during 'Pedals for Peace' journey

The Congolese sports ministry confirmed the death of 23-year-old Masaisai on Saturday.

"It is with deep sorrow and great sadness that the Ministry of Sport and Leisure has learnt of the tragic death of our young and courageous cyclist, Miguel MASAÏSAÏ, which occurred on 18 September 2026," the ministry wrote in a Facebook post.

Masaisai had set off from his home-town of Goma in eastern DRC on 1 May and was on his way to Rabat in Morocco as part of his "Pedals for Peace" project which he launched in 2025.

He was travelling by taxi to have his bicycle repaired when the vehicle was hit by a lorry near Ouesso, on the border between Congo-Brazzaville and Cameroon, on Friday afternoon.

The other two passengers and the driver were also killed.

From Goma to Cape Town, the young Congolese athlete pedalling for peace

Journey for peace and youth

“Miguel Masaisai is no more,” said Spraya Mwana-Bwato, president of the North Kivu cycling league, who had supported the cyclist's initiatives for almost a decade. 

“We are all devastated by his death. No one survived the accident.”

More than 200,000 people followed Masaisai online, where he regularly shared messages promoting peace and youth empowerment.

Wearing a cycling jersey, helmet and riding gear in the colours of the DR Congo, he had already cycled from Goma to Cape Town, South Africa, in 2025.

His latest challenge was to take him through 17 countries to Rabat. He posted videos of his journey almost every day, sharing messages of courage and tolerance.

Speaking to RFI in June last year he said: "I wanted to show the world that in our region, in our country, there isn't only war, we also have very strong, very dynamic young people.

"And I want to say to them, use your talent to look for peace, not for war or violence."

Respect for a 'national hero'

In a premonitory comment, he also told RFI of how dangerous it was sharing roads with massive trucks speeding by with little regard for cyclists.

His journey came to an end on the 75th day of what he called his “mission” for peace.

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Tributes to the young man, who was a triathlete, coach and also lifeguard, have been pouring in on social media.

“One life, one talent, one future brutally cut short. Respect for this national hero,” one message said.