It's extremely resource rich -- if you really want to get that noggin' jogging, check out who supplies Sudan rebels with weapons. It's one of those things you're not supposed to notice.

Also, check out what's happening with China usurping farms over there and the cobalt mine situation.

Also, to your point about the Russians cleaning up areas and suppressing rebellions, China did the same thing in Kenya and a few other places where they were establishing business operations (mostly mining infrastructure). They brought in their "specialists" to quell any rebel uprisings and haven't had any problems since.