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Thousands of demonstrators opposing Madagascar's president were supported on the roads of the capital on Saturday by troops from an elite army division, who previously that day declared they would not open fire on protesters.

Advancing With Heavy Cars

Demonstrators proceeded alongside military personnel from the Capsat division, who drove armored vehicles, some brandishing the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Crowds

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the cheering masses in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had before been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers propelled the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the Leader

The troops' involvement ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been calling for resign. The student-led rallies commenced on 25 September, at first over utility shortages. However, they rapidly broadened into demands for a complete reform of the governance structure, with the youth protesters not appeased by Rajoelina firing his government last week.

Security Forces Measures

Previously that day, police fired flashbangs and riot control agents to try to scatter the activists. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also urged military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who disagree with us to focus on dialogue," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military continues to be a peacemaker and forms the country's final safeguard."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat officer joined by a large group of soldiers called on other troop formations to "refuse orders to shoot your friends", in a footage that was shared on social media before they departed from their headquarters.

"We should unite, military, paramilitary and law enforcement, and reject payment to attack our comrades, our colleagues and our compatriots," he declared, also appealing to troops at the aviation hub to "stop all flights from leaving".

"Shut the entrances and wait for our orders," he said. "Disregard directives from your officers. Point your arms at those who command you to shoot at your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our loved ones if we die."

Leader's Lack of Response

Nothing has been posted on the leader's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was photographed meeting the leaders of 10 of the nation's universities to discuss bettering the student experience.

Demonstrator Apprehensions

An activist who joined Saturday's protests expressed she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 takeover that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised political figures who made quick speeches to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people involved in this 'event' are all concerning," commented the activist, who didn't want to be named for apprehension for her well-being.

Young Generation Perspective

A representative of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical collective of youth that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but many developments are occurring [and] we don't want another untrustworthy figure to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the right to select who to put up there," he stated.