Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) in April 2024.
He hails from the Central African Republic and holds advanced degrees in political and anthropological philosophy, with additional specialization in conflict management from Oxford University in the UK.
With over two decades of expertise, Mr. Jean Pierre is a recognized leader in mediation and the management of armed and community conflicts. His roles have extensively covered coordination and leadership in various structures and programs including Security Sector Reform (SSR), National disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) programs, as well as Mine Action and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) initiatives.
From 2019 to 2023, Mr. Jean Pierre served as the National Rapporteur for the UN Sanctions Monitoring Committee on the Central African Republic, overseeing the embargo on conventional arms and related materials. He also held the position of Executive Secretary of the National Commission to Combat the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (COMNATALPC) and was the RECSA National Focal Point during the same period.
Married and father to five children, Mr. Jean Pierre’s commitment to peace and stability is mirrored in his dedication to both his professional and family life.
Col. David Twinomujuni is the Director of Planning and Coordination at the Secretariat. He joined RECSA in September 2022 on secondment from the Government of the Republic of Uganda.
He is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College (AY 12) Maxwell AFB Alabama (USA). He started his military career at the School of Infantry Jinja in 2000 and has risen through the ranks over the years. He has worked at different command levels in UPDF including Commanding the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Air Force component in AMISOM. Col David has also held major command staff assignments at different levels in UPDF AF and EASF.
He holds a Master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University (USA) and a Bachelor of Science (Education) Degree from MUK. He has attended specialized trainings namely; Radar Maintenance Diploma (IAI) Israel, International Movement Planning Norwegian Peace Academy, Integrated Mission Planning Course (IPSTC) Kenya and UN Staff Officers Course Swedish Peace Academy.
ACP Damas GATARE is currently the Director of Operations and Programs at the
Regional Centre on Small Arms in the Great Lakes Region, Horn of Africa and
Neighboring States (RECSA) based in Nairobi, Kenya.
He previously served in various capacities back home in Rwanda in both the Rwanda
Patriotic Army/Rwanda Defense Force (RPA/RDF) and later in the Rwanda National
Police (RNP) since 2000, accumulating a wealth of experience of over 35 years.
He attended the Police Senior Command and Staff Course at the National Police
College, Musanze, Rwanda, 2012 – 2013 and holds a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies
and Conflict Transformation from the University of Rwanda.
ACP Damas GATARE participated in the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN)
Peace Support Operations particularly in the African Union Mission in Sudan, Darfur,
AMIS (2005 – 2007); and in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated
Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in Bangui, (2018 –
2019) where the Rwanda CIVPOL Contingent and Rwanda Formed Police Unit (FPU)
Commander respectively.
He has held various key command and leadership posts in the Rwanda National Police (RNP) since 2000 that includes among others, Commissioner for Community Policing, Public Relations and Media; Police Spokesperson, Director of Disaster Management Unit, Deputy Commandant of Police Training School, Gishari; Principal Gishari Integrated Polytechnic College (IPRC); Commander of RNP Reserve Force; and Commandant of Police General Headquarters.
He is married with three children.
Eunice A.J. Dobby CP OGW, HSC, ndc(K) is serving at the Secretariat as the Director of Administration & Finance. She joined the Secretariat in September 2022 on secondment from the Government of Kenya.
Prior to her appointment at the Secretariat, she served in various capacities within the National Police Service, notably; Chief Pilot (Oxford Aviation – USA), Multi-Agency Oversight Team at the Kenya Forest Service and as a Board member of Utumishi Girls Academy.
She holds a Master in International Relations & Diplomacy, a Master in Business Administration (Strategic Management) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Commerce. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Transformation on Security and Sustainable Peace. In addition, she attended various specialized leadership courses including; National Security and Strategy Course at the National Defense College, Strategic Leadership Course for Regional Commanders and Flight Instructors Ratings among others.
Capacity Building
Maj Gén Louis Marie MWUMVANEZA is the Director of Institutional Development & Capacity Building at the Secretariat. He joined RECSA in 2022 on secondment from the Government of the Republic of Burundi.
Maj. Gen. Mwumvaneza holds a Master degree in Business Administration (Management and Administration option) and Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Science in Management and Administration. He has also undertaken various courses notably; training in planning and management of peacekeeping operations within
the framework of the African Union or the United Nations, Senior crisis management course in critical incident management, organization and management of an electoral process, staff and combined arms command course and management of operations to maintain and restore public order among others.