Former mayor of Groningen Peter den Oudsten heads the independent committee that will conduct new and additional research into the fatal mortar accident in Mali in 2016. Two soldiers from the Johan Willem Friso barracks in Assen, Kevin Roggeveld and Henry Hoving, were killed.
The committee was set up by the cabinet on Friday. ‘With the start of this independent investigation, I hope that we can also mark the start of a conclusion and that we, as a learning organization, can look ahead’, says Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren.
‘The mortar accident in Mali has left deep scars. Both with the next of kin and within our own organization,’ says the minister.
In mid-October last year, Ollongren already announced that there would be a new and independent investigation. It is an addition to previous investigations by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) and by a committee led by former Shell CEO Jeroen van der Veer.
That committee did not look at possible negligent or culpable actions on the part of the Ministry of Defence. This was decided after consultation with the highest official of Defense. The decision-making regarding the ‘establishment, interpretation and implementation of the investigation by the Van der Veer Committee’ is also being investigated in this new investigation, the ministry reports.
According to the ministry, the latest investigation was set up to ‘get as many open questions answered as possible’. This is done at the express request of the House of Representatives and of the relatives of both killed soldiers.