Ethiopian police said Thursday 24 civilians and seven police officers have died during two consecutive days of street violence in the country's capital Addis Ababa.

Police blamed the violence on the largest opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD).

"Activities have been enhanced putting under control the CUD leadership and their members who heed to their destructive calls for violence," said a police statement.

"Our mission of safeguarding the constitutional system and maintaining public peace and security continues in an enhanced manner," said the statement.

In the statement, police assured the public of "enhanced work of maintaining the peace and security of the city."

They called on the entire public to "discharge their national and constitutional responsibilities with continued cooperation with the police in activities of arresting the missionaries of violence who stirred public peace and security."

Since Tuesday, CUD members and supporters took to the street over the contested results of the May 15 parliamentary election, leading to deadly street violence between riot police and protesters.

Source: Xinhua