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Thousands of protesters opposing Madagascar's leader were supported on the roads of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by troops from an premier army division, who earlier in the day stated they would not fire on protesters.

Marching With Heavy Vehicles

Demonstrators proceeded alongside soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who drove heavy vehicles, some waving the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops propelled the present head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a takeover in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the Leader

The soldiers' intervention escalated tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on stand down. The young people-led demonstrations broke out on 25 September, initially over utility shortages. However, they quickly widened into calls for a total overhaul of the governance structure, with the gen Z demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina removing his government last week.

Police Measures

That morning, police fired disorientation devices and chemical irritants to try to break up the activists. The freshly assigned minister of the armed forces also urged military personnel to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our brothers who oppose us to emphasize discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Madagascar's armed forces continues to be a intermediary and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat officer supported by a large group of military personnel appealed to other military units to "refuse orders to shoot your friends", in a recording that was posted on social media before they exited their barracks.

"Let us join forces, army, gendarmes and police, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our comrades, our colleagues and our sisters," he said, also urging troops at the airfield to "prevent all aircraft from leaving".

"Shut the gates and await our instructions," he said. "Do not obey directives from your commanders. Direct your firearms at those who instruct you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our relatives if we perish."

Head of State's Lack of Response

No information has been shared on the leader's digital platforms since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured meeting the heads of 10 of the country's colleges to talk about enhancing the student experience.

Protester Apprehensions

An protester who participated in that day's rallies expressed she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that installed Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised politicians who made short speeches to the crowds in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'situation' are all dangerous," stated the protester, who declined to give her name for concern for her well-being.

Youth Outlook

A member of the young activists, a decentralized group of students that has supported the arrangement of the demonstrations, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another corrupted person to assume control here, so we will employ all means to have the right to select who to put up there," he said.