Miguel Masaisai: Cyclists honor peace activist after fatal accident

Cyclists in Kinshasa and Goma gathered on Sunday, September 20, 2026, to honor Miguel Masaisai, a Congolese athlete who died following a road accident in Ouésso, in northern Republic of the Congo.

Masaisai was known for his “Pedaling for Peace” project, an ambitious challenge to cycle from his hometown of Goma to Rabat, Morocco, to promote peace. During the tributes, participants called for his commitment to be officially recognized and for him to receive a posthumous decoration.

Abraham Luakabwanga, a cycling leader, noted that the accident might have been preventable, citing Masaisai’s use of aging equipment and a lack of adequate security on the road. Additionally, Claude Mbuyi, president of the National Youth Council, suggested that Masaisai’s bicycle, helmet, and jersey be preserved in the National Museum as symbols of Congolese youth engagement.