Four gunmen shot dead a policeman and a teacher in a bar in eastern Burundi, a local governor said on Tuesday, the latest clashes in months of unrest.

iStock

“They opened fire on customers and killed a police officer and a head teacher, before leaving without stealing anything,” said Abdallah Hassan, governor of Ruyigi district, close to the border with Tanzania.

The attack took place late on Monday in the town of Gisuru.

“This is the first time that our province is attacked in this way,” Hassan added.

Burundi descended into violence in April after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a now successful bid for a third consecutive term in office, despite concerns over the legality of such a move.

At least 240 people have been killed and more than 200 000 have fled the country since.

On Monday, US President Barack Obama slapped sanctions on Public Security Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni – the regime’s number two – and three others, linking them to the country’s descent into violence.

The US action imposes visa restrictions on the four and blocks their US assets, a White House statement said, adding that it was considering similar action against other individuals.