Clarification on Defense Industry Arms Sales to Regional States

A document circulating on social media allegedly showing the Ethiopian Defense Engineering Industry selling weapons to the Oromia Militia Office has sparked online debate. Users sharing the image have characterized the transaction as a special arrangement exclusively benefiting the Oromia region. However, official clarification suggests that the transaction is standard procedure. It is routine for all regional states and city administrations to purchase weapons from the federal Ministry of Defense for their respective militia and police forces. This practice is not unique to Oromia and has been in effect since the EPRDF era, rather than being a new development.