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A multitude of activists in opposition to the nation's head of state were supported on the roads of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by soldiers from an elite army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Marching Together with Military Vehicles

Protesters walked with military personnel from the Capsat squadron, who operated armored vehicles, some brandishing the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Crowds

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat soldiers brought the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the Leader

The military's involvement increased tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been calling for resign. The youth-led rallies commenced on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly broadened into appeals for a total restructuring of the governance structure, with the younger generation demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his government last week.

Police Actions

Earlier in the day, police used flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to break up the demonstrators. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also called on military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who oppose us to emphasize discussion," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a peacemaker and represents the state's last line of defence."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat officer supported by a significant number of troops urged other troop formations to "reject directives to attack your comrades", in a recording that was shared on digital networks before they departed from their base.

"We must combine efforts, military, gendarmes and officers, and decline compensation to fire upon our friends, our comrades and our compatriots," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the airport to "block all flights from departing".

"Close the entrances and await our directions," he said. "Ignore orders from your superiors. Aim your firearms at those who instruct you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our families if we are killed."

President's Inactivity

No updates has been published on the president's digital platforms since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed discussing with the directors of 10 of the state's universities to address enhancing educational conditions.

Protester Worries

An activist who joined Saturday's demonstrations stated she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to power. She also criticised politicians who made quick speeches to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"That's why I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people circling this 'development' are all concerning," said the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for fear for her safety.

Gen Z Outlook

A representative of the youth movement, a decentralized organization of youth that has assisted in organizing the protests, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but significant events are unfolding [and] we do not desire another corrupted person to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to choose who to place in power," he stated.