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Numerous protesters opposing Madagascar's president were supported on the roads of the capital on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army division, who that morning declared they would not fire on activists.

Proceeding Alongside Armored Cars

Protesters marched alongside military personnel from the Capsat squadron, who operated military vehicles, some waving Madagascar flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers installed the present head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Tension on the President

The military's participation ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been demanding stand down. The youth-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, initially over service disruptions. However, they quickly widened into demands for a comprehensive overhaul of the governance structure, with the younger generation demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his government last week.

Security Forces Actions

Earlier in the day, security forces deployed stun grenades and teargas to try to break up the activists. The newly named minister of the armed forces also urged troops to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We urge our comrades who disagree with us to prioritise communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military is still a intermediary and forms the country's final safeguard."

Troop Resistance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a significant number of troops urged other army divisions to "refuse orders to attack your allies", in a footage that was published on online platforms before they departed from their barracks.

"We should unite, military, paramilitary and police, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our allies, our brothers and our sisters," he said, also appealing to military personnel at the airport to "block all flights from leaving".

"Close the access points and await our directions," he stated. "Do not obey commands from your commanders. Direct your firearms at those who instruct you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our relatives if we are killed."

Leader's Silence

No information has been published on the head of state's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed meeting the leaders of 10 of the state's colleges to talk about bettering the student experience.

Demonstrator Concerns

An demonstrator who joined that day's protests expressed she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned government officials who made quick speeches to the masses in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'situation' are all risky," commented the activist, who requested anonymity for fear for her well-being.

Youth Viewpoint

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless group of students that has helped to coordinate the protests, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another corrupted figure to take the power here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to choose who to place in power," he commented.