Why Burundi’s Robotics Team Plan Their Own Disappearance

Six teenage members of a robotics team from Burundi, Africa — who went missing last week after a competition in Washington, D.C. — may have planned their disappearance, their coach said Monday. Burundi Police confirmed at least two of the missing teenagers were in Canada, and the remaining four were not in danger.

Esperence Niyonzima, the director of Iteletique, the school which sent two of the teens said the students probably left the East African nation to get a better life, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Niyonzima mentioned that many Burundians, even those who travel outside for official or government assignments, remain in western countries.

Read: What Happened To Burundi Robotics Team?

Niyonzima, who spoke with the parents of the missing teens, said they “were not concerned” by their disappearance. The missing team members were identified by police as Richard Irakoze, 18, Kevin Sabumukiza, 17, Nice Munezero, 17, Aristide Irambona, 18, Don Ingabire, 16, and Audrey Mwamikazi, 17.

“I do not think they disappeared because they fear insecurity. They were not in insecurity in Burundi really," Niyonzima said.

"Maybe they wanted a better life because everyone wants more in life, and they saw maybe a better life than in Burundi," she added.

Meanwhile, the teens' coach Canesius Bindaba told AP that he thinks the parents helped the teens disappear. An investigation is currently underway.

"I think they planned it together behind my back," Bindaba said, expressing his disappointment.

"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."

Bindaba had earlier said the teens had attended closing ceremonies for the FIRST Global Challenge competition last Tuesday.

“FIRST Global learned the adult mentor of Team Burundi is unable to find the group of six students who participated in the 2017 FIRST Global Challenge,” Jose P. Escotto, an organization spokesman, said Thursday. “The proper reports have been submitted to the police who are investigating the case.”

Read: Where Is Burundi’s Robotics Team?

Burundi has been plagued with human rights violations and dangerous conditions since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term led to street protests. More than 325,000 people have fled Burundi since 2015, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). In June, the U.S. government issued a warning cautioning its citizens against traveling to Burundi “due to political tensions, political and criminal violence and the potential for civil unrest.”

The HRW said in its 2017 World Report about Burundi's current state: “Security forces and members of the youth wing of the ruling party, the Imbonerakure, target opponents and perceived opponents who they kill, rape, torture, forcibly disappear, or ill-treat. The ruling party has banned the most prominent Burundian human rights organizations… The justice system is deeply manipulated by the ruling party and impunity is widespread.”