The Church of England Pensions Board (CEPB) is holding an urgent investor briefing following news that the Rwanda-backed M23 militia has captured the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) city of Goma.

“Following the deeply concerning news [yesterday] from the city of Goma in the DRC that Rwandan backed M23 rebels have entered and taken the city, the CEPB is convening an urgent investor briefing on Tuesday 28th Jan at 5pm UK time,” Adam Matthews, chief responsible investment officer at CEPB, announced on LinkedIn.

“What happens here is relevant to all investors that are exposed to supply chains, especially tech companies, that use minerals from this region and are invested in companies operating in Rwanda and neighbouring countries,” said Matthews.

Last year Matthews was appointed to the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals as the representative of the Principles for Responsible Investment. He also chairs the Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030, which has called on investors to take a strategic approach to a new relationship with the mining sector and other stakeholders

The mineral-rich eastern DRC region has experienced years of war, involving dozens of competing militias, which has displaced millions of people.

Adam Matthews at CEPB

CEPB’s Adam Matthews is convening an investor briefing on the escalating issue in Goma

‘Urgent humanitarian situation’

Goma, which is close to the Rwandan border, is an important mining region and a major supplier of metals that are used in smartphones and other electronic devices.

Matthews said the briefing will address the latest security situation and discussions in the UN Security Council, while also focusing on the urgent call for peace talks and withdrawal for the Rwandan-backed rebels.

“This is an urgent humanitarian situation and conflict impacting millions,” he said.

“South African forces are part of the South African Development Community (SADC) and UN peacekeeping force, with nine being reported killed in fighting [on Monday]. I visited the city last year when the mines to the west of the city were taken and further refugees sought safety in the city,” Matthews added in his LinkedIn post.

DRC’s president Felix Tshisekedi, who was in Switzerland for the annual Davos Forum, is reported to have returned to the DRC capital, Kinshasa, on 24 January and chaired the Defence Council to assess the unfolding situation.

The African Union, SADC, and European Union have issued statements voicing their concern, with the UN Security Council confirming they had convened on 26 January to discuss the escalating situation.

To register for the investor call, email Emily.richards@churchofengland.org .

The latest digital edition of IPE’s magazine is now available