Two members of the Burundi robotics team that went missing during an international competition in Washington, D.C., have been found safe in Canada, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Don Ingabire, 16, and Audrey Mwamikazi, 17, were last seen crossing the border into Canada after leaving the First Global Challenge competition. They and four of their teammates left after the last day and did not return to their home country of Burundi, which is in central Africa.
Police said Ingrabire and Mwamikazi were found in Canada but did not specify where in Canada they were located. The other four members remain missing.
Police said they was no indication of foul play.
Burundi has been plagued by sporadic violence since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term led to street protests. Event organizers believe the teens may have planned their disappearance.
Esperence Niyonzima who is the director of Iteletique, said parents she spoke with “were not concerned” by their childrens’ disappearance. Canesius Bindaba, the teens' coach, said he thinks parents helped the teens disappear.
“I think they planned it together behind my back,” Bindaba said.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Bindaba said he was disappointed.
“We've taken a good place,” he said. ``Out of 163 teams, Burundi was the 73rd. These children learned many things. They should not stay in USA. Burundians must know that we cannot develop our own country while we still see living in western countries as our salvation.”
