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Thousands of protesters in opposition to the nation's leader were accompanied on the avenues of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an elite army division, who previously that day stated they would not open fire on activists.

Advancing Alongside Military Vehicles

Protesters proceeded alongside troops from the Capsat division, who piloted armored vehicles, some brandishing the country's banners, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been prevented from reaching. Capsat troops propelled the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the President

The soldiers' involvement escalated pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for stand down. The youth-led rallies broke out on 25 September, at first over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly broadened into appeals for a comprehensive overhaul of the government system, with the younger generation activists not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Security Forces Measures

That morning, law enforcement deployed disorientation devices and riot control agents to try to scatter the protesters. The newly named defense minister also called on troops to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who are against us to emphasize discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army remains a peacemaker and represents the nation's last line of defence."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a sizable contingent of soldiers appealed to other military units to "refuse orders to shoot your friends", in a recording that was shared on digital networks before they departed from their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, troops, security forces and law enforcement, and reject payment to shoot our friends, our colleagues and our fellow citizens," he declared, also urging military personnel at the airport to "block all flights from departing".

"Shut the access points and expect our instructions," he stated. "Disregard commands from your officers. Point your arms at those who instruct you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our families if we are killed."

Leader's Lack of Response

Nothing has been published on the head of state's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured meeting the heads of 10 of the nation's universities to address enhancing the student experience.

Activist Worries

An protester who attended that day's protests stated she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced political figures who made brief addresses to the masses in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'development' are all dangerous," stated the activist, who didn't want to be named for concern for her safety.

Gen Z Perspective

A representative of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized organization of youth that has helped to coordinate the demonstrations, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another dishonest person to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to select who to install in leadership," he commented.