A cyclist from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, has embarked on a continent‑wide bike ride aimed at promoting peace and unity among African youth. Miguel Masaisai set off on 1 May, departing his eastern‑province hometown with the support of local children, who sent him prayers and encouragement.
The rider plans to travel the roughly 14,000 kilometres from Goma to Rabat, Morocco, passing through fourteen countries. The journey is intended both as a personal endurance test and as a symbolic call for harmony in a region long afflicted by conflict.
Masaisai is no stranger to long‑distance cycling. In 2022 he completed a 6,000‑kilometre trek from Goma to Cape Town, crossing Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia before reaching South Africa. He suffered severe exhaustion at the end of that expedition and required medical care in Kinshasa. Since then, he has undergone intensive training in Kenya and the DRC to restore his fitness.
The current ride will see the cyclist traverse a range of terrains and climates, from the volcanic soils of the African Great Lakes region to the Sahara’s arid expanses. Organisers say the route was selected to maximise interaction with youth groups, schools and community organisations along the way, allowing Masaisai to share messages of reconciliation and cooperation.
According to the African Union’s youth affairs department, initiatives that connect young people across borders are essential for building lasting stability on the continent. The cyclist’s trek aligns with the AU’s “Agenda 2063” objectives, which call for increased intra‑African mobility and cultural exchange.
Local authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have pledged logistical support, including border clearance and temporary accommodations. Similar assistance is being coordinated with the governments of Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Algeria and Morocco. The rider’s progress will be monitored through a live‑tracking platform, enabling supporters to follow each stage in real time.
If successful, the journey will conclude in Rabat in late October, marking a seven‑month crossing of Africa’s northern corridor. Masaisai hopes the venture will inspire other young Africans to pursue peaceful collaboration and to view the continent’s diversity as a source of strength rather than division.
Additional sources: AFP.
