Cyclist attempts to cover 14,000 kilometers for peace in DR Congo

After cycling 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles), Miguel Masaisai, a 25-year-old Congolese triathlete, pedaled into the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital city of Kinshasa. His worn-down bicycle was flanked by a welcome convoy of motorcycles as cheers, honks, and waving flags carried him into town.

On May 1, 2026, Masaisai left from his hometown of Goma and cycled the first 66 days of his journey, unsupported through Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and back into DR Congo to reach Kinshasa. He plans to continue to Rabat, Morocco, on a “Pedal for Peace” campaign powered only by his legs and a passion to unite a country that has faced decades of conflict.

“I want to do something for my country because I cannot go to the war to fight with a gun. I cannot. The only thing that I have is my bike,” Masaisai told CNN.

In 2025, Masaisai cycled 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) unsupported from Goma to Cape Town, South Africa. Now he aims to double the distance, as a traveling protest of the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo. He hopes to inspire Congolese youth and to spread awareness about the impact of the violence on young people. An impact he has felt personally.

For decades, the fighting between DR Congo government troops and over 100 armed groups, notably Rwanda-backed M23, has killed thousands of people and displaced millions. The UN has described the conflict in Congo as “one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.”

In 2025, the conflict escalated when M23 rebels seized control of Goma and Bukavu, two key cities in the mineral-rich eastern part of the country. Despite several peace agreement attempts since, the UN has announced violations by both parties. A UN report said M23 is a leading offender of conflict-related sexual violence. Insecurity in the area is worsened by the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history.

“When M23 entered Goma, I was there,” Masaisai said, recalling the incessant sound of gun shots and sleeping on the ground to shelter from bullets. He says he lost several friends and family members. “It traumatized me that day … I don’t know how I can explain it.”

“When war is waging in our region, young people are the first people to pay the high price,” said Prosper Heri Ngorora, a young Congolese journalist based in Goma.

Congo’s incredibly young population — according to UNICEF 70% is under 24 years old — faces unemployment, recruitment to armed groups, the threat of sexual violence, a lack of opportunity and displacement.

“Grappling with all these problems, young people are desperate and wonder whether their future belongs to them or to political leaders,” Ngorora told CNN. He said this is why Masaisai’s message of hope is so crucial.

“I don’t want other children that will come after us to live the same thing. That’s why we need to want to fight for peace,” said Masaisai.

A few years ago, after a volcanic eruption of Mount Nyiragongo caused a water shortage in Goma, Masaisai’s family had to fetch water from nearby Lake Kivu. But Masaisai took that chore as an opportunity to teach himself to swim, and he fell in love with it.

A friend who was part of the blossoming cycling community heard Masaisai could swim and a local club was looking for a triathlete to represent DR Congo so they asked the then 18-year-old Masaisai to join. Harboring a dream of being a professional athlete, he scraped together around $120 to buy a basic bike — the first step on his path toward being a triathlon champion.

“What struck me about him was his determination,” said Spraya Mwana-Bwato, president of the North Kivu Provincial Cycling League in Goma, who met Masaisai in 2015.

Masaisai counted a victory at the African Triathlon Zone East Championships in 2022 in Kenya and two Ironman races in Rwanda among his top accomplishments.

“He has great endurance and, above all, a vision that goes beyond simply riding a bike,” said Mwana-Bwato.

Fed up with the conflict in his country, Masaisai turned his training focus to peace advocacy.

Support on and offline

For the first 66 days of his journey, an online GPS tracker website showed Masaisai cycle 100 to 150 kilometers daily. Unable to secure any formal sponsorship, he had no support vehicle or team with him. Though his public GoFundMe page has now raised around $850, he relied on the generosity of strangers in each town for a place to sleep each night.

Through consistent posting on TikTok and Instagram, Masaisai keeps a combined 100,000 followers updated on his journey. He said he receives messages before reaching each village from people saying they will welcome him, feed him and give him a bed.

Young people, such as the National Youth Council, have mobilized to meet him along the road; some even cycle sections of the ride. Thousands of comments express support for Pedal for Peace, especially from the eastern DR Congo.

“Sometimes I want to give up,” said Masaisai, “Every day I receive their message[s], their comments give me strength.”

Roadside videos on his social media show Masaisai connecting with young people in a number of languages. He said he always includes time in his schedule for conversations.

Pedaling through sand and instability

“The initiative is perilous itself,” Ngorora said, adding that risk is inevitable when cycling through regions where armed groups have been present for around 30 years.

“I don’t pretend that the risks are not frightening,” said Masaisai. “There are moments when I feel fear, especially when I am alone on the road for like one hour or two hours.”

Masaisai faces dangers from traffic, poor road conditions and extreme heat — and has received online threats to his security. He says he sometimes turns off his GPS for his own safety.

He posts about cycling through sand-filled roads, bleeding from falls, or sitting roadside with broken bike parts.

“But because the ride is about peace, Miguel is quite stubborn in his initiative,” Ngorora said.

Masaisai explained that he consults locals and has had to adapt his route where necessary to avoid unnecessary risks. He said he thinks of those who support him in Goma and “can only go forward.”

Though he is focused on reaching Rabat, Morocco Masaisai said this likely won’t be his last Pedal for Peace mission as the message needs to spread to North or East Africa too.

As Masaisai continues cycling, a joint statement was made in August 2026 by the DRC government and M23, claiming to have agreed on a “roadmap” for peace talks.

“Congo is not only war,” Masaisai said. He is determined to represent his country beyond the violent headlines. “We are also able to achieve great things in the world. I’m just a sample, but there are so many young people that can do more than me.”