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Numerous demonstrators in opposition to the nation's president were accompanied on the streets of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army unit, who earlier in the day declared they would not fire on activists.

Marching Alongside Military Cars

Protesters marched together with military personnel from the Capsat division, who piloted heavy transports, some displaying national flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive crowds in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers propelled the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Strain on the Leader

The soldiers' involvement ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for stand down. The youth-led protests commenced on 25 September, initially over service disruptions. However, they quickly broadened into calls for a total reform of the governance structure, with the gen Z protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina removing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

That morning, law enforcement fired stun grenades and riot control agents to try to disperse the demonstrators. The freshly assigned defense minister also called on military personnel to "remain calm", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who disagree with us to focus on dialogue," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army is still a peacemaker and constitutes the country's final safeguard."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a significant number of military personnel called on other army divisions to "disobey commands to fire upon your comrades", in a recording that was posted on online platforms before they departed from their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, troops, gendarmes and law enforcement, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our friends, our colleagues and our fellow citizens," he declared, also urging troops at the aviation hub to "stop all aircraft from taking off".

"Close the gates and await our instructions," he declared. "Disregard directives from your superiors. Aim your weapons at those who command you to attack your military brothers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we are killed."

President's Lack of Response

No updates has been published on the leader's digital platforms since Friday night, when he was photographed conferring with the heads of 10 of the country's universities to discuss improving the student experience.

Activist Concerns

An activist who joined Saturday's demonstrations expressed she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced government officials who made short statements to the crowds in front of the city hall as "opportunists".

"That's why I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'development' are all risky," said the demonstrator, who requested anonymity for concern for her well-being.

Youth Outlook

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical organization of youth that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we don't want another untrustworthy figure to assume control here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to put up there," he stated.