Quote by Aminatta Forna: “Silence is a choice, not an absence.”

This statement means that not speaking up, especially about difficult truths or injustices, is an active decision with consequences. It's not merely a void but a deliberate act that can perpetuate harm or injustice.

Following intense periods of conflict and authoritarian rule in Sierra Leone, the question of who remained silent and why was central to understanding historical injustices and the path towards accountability and healing for the nation.

Sierra Leonean-Scottish author whose novels and memoir The Devil That Danced on the Water confront war, loss, and justice with unflinching intelligence. Her novel Happiness was published in 2018 and explores urban grief and connection across cultures.