A Bosniak from Srebrenica and a Serbian from Belgrade embarked on a journey to Africa, which they have been planning throughout a greater part of their 15-year long friendship. Ahmed Ustic and Pedja Matijasevic met in 2003 in Mostar and what brought them close was their true love for motorcycles.

“We became good friends, there are many rides and exchanged thoughts behind us. (…) The years of hanging together prove that we did become friends and this is how the idea for this trip was born,” said Ustic.

Matijasevic, on the other hand, explained he always had many friends in Bosnia and they stayed in touch regardless of what was happening in this region.

“The war made a short break in that, and then we resumed the contact, the friendships and normal life. That's the point of everything,” he added.

Asked if there was any symbolism in their journey, which commenced in Srebrenica on Thursday and is expected to last two weeks, they gave quite similar answers.

“I was never keen on those political stories and I never thought that could give anything to ordinary people.(…) We are doing this because we love it, this is our life, our hobby. My motto is travelling. Because that's something one cannot buy with money,” said Matijasevic.

Ustic conveyed a message to younger generations.

“We have no time to waste, we have to use the most out of our lives for good purposes, nice purposes. (…) The youth shouldn't waste their time, they shouldn't follow negative politics,” he concluded.

Ahmed and Pedja plan to head towards Albania, then board on a ferry for Italy and further towards Tunisia. On their way back they plan to change the route via Sicily and Malta, then Greece and Macedonia, and will finally arrive back in Albania.