Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum stated that he is currently being held hostage by the country's military. In a recent op-ed published in the Washington Post, he warned about the severe consequences of the junta's power grab, which could have a detrimental impact on the region.

Notably, Russian mercenaries have established a presence in the area.

President Bazoum, who was democratically elected two years ago, has been detained at the presidential palace in Niamey since the military coup began last Wednesday. The coup has received strong condemnation from the United States and other Western nations, and there have been threats of military intervention from a bloc of West African countries in response to the situation.

President Mohamed Bazoum, in a heartfelt message published in the Washington Post, expressed the dire situation in Niger, where he and many others find themselves held hostage by a military junta. The ongoing crisis has thrown the region, already grappling with coups and militant extremism, into further turmoil. Western countries are urgently working to evacuate their citizens and diplomats amid the escalating situation.

Bazoum emphasized that the coup, initiated by a faction in the military on July 26, has no legitimate justification and poses a significant threat not only to Niger but also to the entire region and the world at large. The political upheaval and uncertainty in Niger could have devastating consequences, prompting concerns from the international community.

Bazoum refuted the coup plotters' claims that their actions were aimed at safeguarding Niger's security. In his Washington Post op-ed, he stated that the junta falsely alleged the failure of their fight against jihadist terrorists under his leadership and criticized his economic and social governance, which included partnerships with the United States and Europe, as harmful to the country.

Contrary to their claims, Bazoum emphasized that the security situation in Niger had significantly improved during his tenure, thanks to the collaborative partnerships that the junta opposes.

Despite the progress made, the political upheaval created by the coup jeopardizes the stability and development efforts in Niger, further heightening concerns both nationally and internationally.

In his warning about the consequences of the coup, President Bazoum highlighted the critical reliance on foreign aid, which constitutes 40% of Niger's national budget. He cautioned that such aid would be at risk if the coup succeeds, potentially affecting the country's financial stability and development initiatives.

While CNN has been unable to independently verify the conditions of President Bazoum's detention at his residence, his former adviser, Idrissa Waziri, communicated that Bazoum remains resolute and optimistic despite being under house arrest. Waziri, who is based in France, stated that the ousted leader is currently confined to his residence, where he is accompanied by his wife and son.

Despite the situation, Bazoum maintains close communication with his associates and continues to show determination in his stance against the coup.

According to Bazoum's former adviser, Idrissa Waziri, the ousted president has faced attempts to break his morale during his house arrest. Bazoum's residence is surrounded by armored military vehicles, access gates have been chained shut, and the electricity supply has been temporarily cut off.

Waziri further revealed that around 130 officials from the elected government have been arrested in recent days, and many others are currently in hiding to evade the coup organizers.

In a significant twist, Bazoum's decision to retain Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani as the head of the presidential guard after his election was met with betrayal. Tiani, who Bazoum believed would be loyal, led the coup that toppled the democratically elected government of Niger last week.

In his Washington Post article, President Bazoum emphasized that Niger's security situation is considerably better than that of its neighboring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which are grappling with entrenched Islamist insurgencies along their shared borders.

Bazoum also expressed concern about the growing influence of Russia in the Sahel region. Mali, whose military junta has been supporting the coup in Niger, has invited hundreds of contractors from the Wagner mercenary group.

Burkina Faso's military-backed government is also backing the coup in Niger.

Rather than addressing security challenges by strengthening their own capacity, these countries are resorting to employing criminal Russian mercenaries like the Wagner Group at the expense of their citizens' rights and dignity, as stated by Bazoum.

In a worrisome development, one of the coup leaders in Niger, Gen. Salifou Mody, recently visited Mali, raising fears of a potential alliance with the Wagner Group, further complicating the security situation in the region.

President Bazoum expressed deep concern over the coup's potential consequences, warning that the entire central Sahel region could fall under Russian influence through the Wagner Group due to the open invitation from the coup plotters and their regional allies.

He called on the US and the international community to assist in restoring Niger's constitutional order, recognizing the critical importance of global support during this pivotal moment in the country's history. US President Joe Biden echoed this sentiment, demanding Bazoum's immediate release on Niger's Independence Day.

The US has maintained a military presence in Niger for about a decade, focused on advising and training Nigerien forces in counterterrorism efforts. The situation in Niger has raised significant international concerns, with global leaders supporting the call to reinstate democratic governance in the country.

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder stated during a media briefing on Thursday that US forces in Niger are actively cooperating with Nigerien forces not involved in the coup to maintain the operations of US bases in the country.

Despite the ongoing situation, the US Defense Department has affirmed that there is no alteration to the US military posture in Niger. However, as a precaution, the US embassy is evacuating non-emergency personnel and their families.

The United States continues to closely monitor the unfolding events in Niger and remains committed to supporting the stability and security of the region in cooperation with Nigerien forces unaffected by the coup.