This may be as an effort to push back against Russian-backed paramilitary groups like Wagner, who have also recently gained notoriety in Ukraine. In Mali, they are helping to liberate the region as the French Colonialists withdraw. The problem with Africa seems to be that they'll sell themselves many times over without really considering the consequences: after all, as China buys up more and more of Africa under the guise of a Belt and Road initiative, how will that jive with Russia, who presumably want to "liberate" the same natural resources that China want?

https://cybershafarat.com/2021/09/26/the-wagner-group-in-afr... For background.