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Numerous activists against Madagascar's leader were joined on the avenues of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by soldiers from an premier army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not fire on protesters.

Advancing Together with Heavy Transports

Protesters marched together with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who drove heavy transports, some waving Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Gathering

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the cheering crowds 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 power in a coup in 2009.

Increasing Tension on the Head of State

The troops' intervention increased pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for step aside. The young people-led protests commenced on 25 September, initially over utility shortages. However, they rapidly expanded into demands for a total overhaul of the political system, with the gen Z demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina removing his cabinet last week.

Police Actions

Earlier in the day, security forces deployed stun grenades and riot control agents to try to disperse the activists. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on troops to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who oppose us to prioritise discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army remains a intermediary and constitutes the nation's ultimate protection."

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a significant number of soldiers appealed to other military units to "disobey commands to fire upon your allies", in a footage that was shared on online platforms before they departed from their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, army, paramilitary and police, and refuse to be paid to shoot our comrades, our brothers and our sisters," he stated, also appealing to troops at the aviation hub to "stop all planes from taking off".

"Secure the access points and wait for our instructions," he stated. "Ignore orders from your commanders. Aim your weapons at those who order you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our loved ones if we die."

Leader's Inactivity

Nothing has been shared on the president's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's colleges to address improving students' lives.

Protester Concerns

An activist who participated in the Saturday demonstrations stated she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned political figures who made brief speeches to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'situation' are all risky," commented the protester, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her security.

Gen Z Perspective

A representative of the young activists, a non-hierarchical collective of young people that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but many developments are occurring [and] we don't want another corrupted individual to assume control here, so we will take all measures to have the right to select who to install in leadership," he commented.