The Dutch contribution to the Central Mine Action Training School (CMATS) in Angola
The Netherlands provided the following for CMATS in Angola:
- the deputy commandant;
- 2 instructors;
- a course supervisor;
- 2 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EOD) personnel;
- an administrative officer;
- a non-commissioned officer.
The position of administrative officer ceased to exist after 6 months because the school was not allowed to manage its own budget. The 1st group of Dutch military personnel departed for Angola on 25 October 1995. Considerable improvement was required regarding the logistic support of the Angolan brigades that were trained. The Netherlands therefore deployed 2 logistics officers to Angola on a one-off basis.
Responsibility to Angola
Operational responsibility for the school passed to Angola in February 1997. The international staff was therefore drastically reduced. The 10 individuals who remained (originally 55), including 2 Dutch service members, initially had only an advisory role. However, it soon became apparent that the Angolans were not yet able to operate the school independently. The advisers had to pull out all the stops to keep the school going. The Ministry of Defence ended the contribution to CMATS on 20 April 1999.