"War, violence and political instability continue to inflict appalling damage on the world's children," said Secretary General Kofi A. Annan who opened this morning's debate. Ensuring that the next generation of the world's children become harbingers of peace served as the driving force behind the Security Council's debate on children and armed conflict and its decision to adopt a resolution calling States to "punish conduct that fuels and exacerbates conflict."

Alhaji Sawaneh, a former child soldier who was abducted by rebel forces at the age of 10, added an element of reality to the debate this morning. He represented of millions of desperate, yet hopeful children in his speech to the Security Council. Sawaneh spoke in near perfect English. His voice projected loudly and clearly through the Security Council chambers. From his steady pace one would never imagine that this address was his first delivery.

Sawaneh spoke of being abducted by rebel forces and forced to train for war in the harshest of conditions. "During these attacks we killed people, burnt down houses, destroyed properties and cut limbs," he said. At the age of 10, Sawaneh was learning to shoot and dismantle AK47 guns rather than to read, write and solve mathematical equations. Many children around the world are currently living this life, Sawaneh warned.

For two years Sawaneh lived under the rule of the rebel forces. Not until UN Peacekeepers put pressure on his commander in January of 2000 to release all child soldiers, was Sawaneh released. It was at this point that he began a rehabilitation programme, allowing him to regain some sort of normalcy in his life. "Removing the gun from me was a vital step for me," said Sawaneh. "The program helped me feel natural and normal again. It helped me develop ways to fit into society again."

Sawaneh continues to feel the effects of his past. He is rejected by his schoolmates, his community members and even his family. " 'Do not bring your rebel life here' they say," quoted Sawaneh. Everyday, he is haunted by the wrondgoing that he was forced to commit. "The road as I have said has not been easy," said Sawaneh. "In school I suffered resentment from other school children. They looked at me differently like an evil person. Maybe they had good reasons. After all, we used to do very horrible things to them, their families, friends and communities."

Alhaji Sawaneh is tall and thin and wears the grin of typical 14 year old. In reality, he is anything but a typical 14 year old. He now lives in foster care with a woman from his village, but hopes to one day reunite with his family.

Speaking to the Security Council, Sawaneh carried the hopes and dreams of his "brothers and sisters" back in Sierra Leone. "I ask this body on behalf of all the children of Sierra Leone to do all they can to bring our sad story to an end," he said. "We want to be able to visit our friends and families every where in the country without fear of abduction, recruitment and other dangers."

The presence of Alhaji Sawaneh added a spark to the Security Council debate. The representative of the United Kingdom, who followed Sawaneh's address, enthusiastically stressed the importance of putting a "name and chain" on those who violate child protection regulations.

This morning's debate was originally scheduled for September to mark the opening of the General Assembly's Special Session on Children, but was put off until today due to the events of September 11. The Special Session on Children has been rescheduled for May 2002.