The US has imposed sanctions on four officials connected to the violence which has hit Burundi over the last months.

Hundreds of people are said to have died in violent clashes since President Pierre Nkurunziza unconstitutionally ran for a third term earlier this year and ended up being elected.

“President Nkurunziza’s pursuit of a third term in office has precipitated a humanitarian, economic, and security crisis,” said a statement by Ned Price, spokesman of the National Security Council in Washington.

“Burundi is on the precipice, but there is a clear path available to Burundi’s leaders to avoid further violence and reach a political solution.”

Colombia is pardoning to 30 jailed members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), as a confidence-building measure in its peace talks with armed group, AFP reported on Sunday.

The government said none of those being pardoned were in prison for serious crimes and added that they will be supported in their efforts to find jobs and receive social support on their release. 

Bangladesh has executed two opposition leaders for war crimes committed during the 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan.

Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid were convicted of genocide and rape and were hanged in Dhaka's central jail.

A special war crimes tribunal found Mr Chowdhury guilty of nine out of 23 charges including genocide, arson and persecuting people on religious and political grounds.