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A multitude of demonstrators in opposition to the nation's president were joined on the avenues of the main city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army unit, who that morning declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Proceeding With Armored Cars

Protesters marched together with military personnel from the Capsat squadron, who operated heavy vehicles, some brandishing national flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the cheering gathering in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat troops brought the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the President

The troops' intervention ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on step aside. The young people-led protests broke out on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they rapidly expanded into appeals for a complete restructuring of the political system, with the younger generation protesters not appeased by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Police Measures

Previously that day, security forces fired disorientation devices and teargas to try to scatter the protesters. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also urged military personnel to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our brothers who oppose us to prioritise communication," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army is still a peacemaker and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat commander joined by a sizable contingent of troops appealed to other military units to "refuse orders to attack your allies", in a recording that was shared on online platforms before they departed from their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, military, paramilitary and officers, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our friends, our brothers and our compatriots," he declared, also calling on soldiers at the airfield to "block all flights from taking off".

"Close the access points and wait for our instructions," he declared. "Disregard directives from your commanders. Point your firearms at those who command you to shoot at your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our families if we die."

Leader's Inactivity

No information has been shared on the leader's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was pictured meeting the heads of 10 of the state's colleges to talk about improving students' lives.

Activist Concerns

An activist who joined the Saturday protests expressed she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised government officials who made short speeches to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people involved in this 'development' are all dangerous," stated the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for apprehension for her well-being.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless group of students that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but many developments are occurring [and] we do not desire another dishonest person to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the opportunity to choose who to place in power," he commented.