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Numerous protesters in opposition to the nation's head of state were supported on the avenues of the capital on Saturday by soldiers from an specialized army squadron, who previously that day declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Marching With Armored Transports

Activists walked together with troops from the Capsat unit, who piloted heavy cars, some waving national flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Gathering

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the cheering masses in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel propelled the incumbent president, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Raising Strain on the Leader

The military's involvement escalated tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on step aside. The youth-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they quickly broadened into appeals for a total reform of the governance structure, with the gen Z activists not appeased by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

Previously that day, security forces used flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to break up the activists. The freshly assigned minister of the armed forces also called on military personnel to "stay composed", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who are against us to emphasize communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military remains a mediator and constitutes the state's last line of defence."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat leader supported by a large group of soldiers urged other troop formations to "refuse orders to attack your comrades", in a video that was published on online platforms before they exited their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, military, gendarmes and police, and reject payment to attack our comrades, our brothers and our compatriots," he said, also urging troops at the aviation hub to "block all planes from departing".

"Secure the entrances and expect our orders," he declared. "Ignore commands from your superiors. Direct your firearms at those who order you to shoot at your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we perish."

Leader's Silence

Nothing has been shared on the head of state's online profiles since Friday night, when he was pictured discussing with the leaders of 10 of the country's universities to address bettering the student experience.

Demonstrator Concerns

An activist who participated in the Saturday rallies stated she was worried about the involvement of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced government officials who made short statements to the masses in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'development' are all risky," stated the protester, who didn't want to be named for concern for her security.

Young Generation Outlook

A representative of the youth movement, a decentralized group of youth that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also raised questions about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but many developments are occurring [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to gain authority here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to choose who to place in power," he said.