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A multitude of demonstrators opposing Madagascar's head of state were joined on the roads of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not shoot at activists.

Proceeding Together with Heavy Vehicles

Activists walked alongside military personnel from the Capsat unit, who piloted military transports, some displaying national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Crowds

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers installed the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the Head of State

The troops' intervention increased strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for step aside. The student-led rallies broke out on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they quickly expanded into calls for a complete restructuring of the political system, with the younger generation protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina removing his government last week.

Security Forces Measures

That morning, police deployed flashbangs and teargas to try to scatter the activists. The recently appointed defense minister also urged military personnel to "remain calm", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our brothers who oppose us to emphasize discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a peacemaker and forms the nation's last line of defence."

Troop Defiance

However, a Capsat commander joined by a large group of soldiers called on other troop formations to "reject directives to fire upon your friends", in a recording that was posted on digital networks before they left their base.

"We should unite, military, paramilitary and officers, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our comrades, our brothers and our compatriots," he stated, also calling on troops at the airport to "prevent all planes from departing".

"Secure the gates and await our directions," he said. "Ignore orders from your superiors. Point your arms at those who instruct you to shoot at your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our families if we are killed."

President's Silence

Nothing has been published on the president's online profiles since Friday night, when he was pictured meeting the leaders of 10 of the state's higher education institutions to discuss enhancing the student experience.

Demonstrator Concerns

An protester who joined the Saturday demonstrations stated she was apprehensive about the participation of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced politicians who made quick statements to the masses in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"That's why I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'situation' are all risky," said the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for fear for her well-being.

Youth Outlook

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized organization of young people that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We feel pleased, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted figure to take the power here, so we will take all measures to have the privilege to select who to put up there," he stated.