Why is Russia meddling in West Africa?

While everyone has their eyes on the war in Ukraine, West Africa is threatening to break out into war.There's been a seemingly unstoppable wave of coups washing along the edge of the Sahara, gaining strength each time.After the recent military coup in Niger, locals were seen chanting "down with France" and "long live Putin".What are France and Russia doing in West Africa? And could they end up in a proxy war?Subscribe to If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app.Find more If You're Listening on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_N9w5e9NrE