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Numerous demonstrators against Madagascar's president were accompanied on the avenues of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army division, who that morning declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Advancing With Military Cars

Activists walked with soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who drove military cars, some brandishing Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Crowds

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic crowds in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers installed the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Increasing Strain on the Head of State

The troops' intervention increased pressure on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on stand down. The youth-led rallies erupted on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they quickly broadened into demands for a comprehensive restructuring of the political system, with the youth demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Police Measures

That morning, police used stun grenades and teargas to try to break up the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also appealed to soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who are against us to prioritise communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army continues to be a peacemaker and constitutes the nation's last line of defence."

Troop Opposition

However, a Capsat commander supported by a significant number of military personnel urged other troop formations to "refuse orders to shoot your allies", in a recording that was shared on social media before they left their base.

"Let us join forces, army, gendarmes and law enforcement, and decline compensation to attack our friends, our comrades and our fellow citizens," he declared, also urging military personnel at the airfield to "stop all flights from leaving".

"Close the gates and wait for our instructions," he said. "Ignore orders from your commanders. Direct your arms at those who order you to fire on your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our relatives if we perish."

President's Silence

Nothing has been shared on the leader's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was seen meeting the leaders of 10 of the nation's colleges to address bettering students' lives.

Activist Worries

An protester who joined the Saturday rallies said she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. She also criticised government officials who made short statements to the crowds in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures gravitating around this 'situation' are all concerning," stated the protester, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her safety.

Young Generation Outlook

A participant of the young activists, a decentralized organization of young people that has helped to coordinate the protests, also raised questions about what would transpire in the future. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another untrustworthy person to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to choose who to put up there," he commented.