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Numerous protesters against Madagascar's leader were joined on the roads of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army division, who previously that day declared they would not shoot at protesters.

Advancing Alongside Heavy Transports

Protesters marched with troops from the Capsat division, who drove armored transports, some displaying national flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops installed the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the President

The military's intervention increased tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding step aside. The young people-led demonstrations broke out on 25 September, at first over water and electricity cuts. However, they quickly widened into demands for a complete restructuring of the government system, with the younger generation protesters not appeased by Rajoelina firing his cabinet last week.

Security Forces Measures

Previously that day, security forces used disorientation devices and chemical irritants to try to break up the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on soldiers to "remain calm", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who oppose us to focus on dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Our nation's military remains a intermediary and represents the country's ultimate protection."

Troop Defiance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a large group of military personnel urged other military units to "refuse orders to fire upon your comrades", in a video that was shared on digital networks before they departed from their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, troops, gendarmes and officers, and decline compensation to fire upon our comrades, our comrades and our sisters," he declared, also calling on military personnel at the aviation hub to "block all aircraft from taking off".

"Close the gates and expect our instructions," he stated. "Do not obey directives from your superiors. Aim your weapons at those who instruct you to fire on your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our loved ones if we are killed."

President's Lack of Response

Nothing has been posted on the head of state's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was photographed conferring with the leaders of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to address improving educational conditions.

Demonstrator Worries

An activist who participated in the Saturday rallies expressed she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned politicians who made quick addresses to the gathering in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"That's why I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'development' are all risky," said the activist, who declined to give her name for fear for her well-being.

Youth Outlook

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical group of youth that has assisted in organizing the protests, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another dishonest figure to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to elect who to install in leadership," he said.