1.7.3. Situation in Al-Shabaab controlled areas

According to the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) 2024, covering the period from 1 February 2021 to 31 January 2023, in areas controlled by al-Shabaab, association and assembly rights were severely restricted. The source added that Al-Shabaab did not permit any independent journalism in areas under its control, and that in case journalists were allowed access, they were closely monitored by Al-Shabaab.753 USDOS reported that Al-Shabaab also engaged in violence and harassment of journalists, while many journalists were killed or injured in what was described as indiscriminate attacks by Al-Shabaab, while also banning journalists from reporting news not in line with their ideology.754