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Numerous demonstrators in opposition to the nation's head of state were joined on the avenues of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army squadron, who previously that day said they would not open fire on protesters.

Proceeding Alongside Armored Cars

Demonstrators walked alongside soldiers from the Capsat unit, who drove armored transports, some waving the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the enthusiastic gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel brought the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the Head of State

The soldiers' involvement escalated tension on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for stand down. The young people-led rallies broke out on 25 September, initially over utility shortages. However, they swiftly widened into calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the governance structure, with the youth demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

Earlier in the day, security forces used stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the activists. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also appealed to soldiers to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our comrades who disagree with us to emphasize dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a peacemaker and forms the nation's ultimate protection."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat commander joined by a large group of soldiers called on other military units to "refuse orders to attack your friends", in a footage that was published on digital networks before they exited their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, army, gendarmes and law enforcement, and decline compensation to attack our comrades, our comrades and our fellow citizens," he declared, also urging troops at the aviation hub to "prevent all aircraft from leaving".

"Close the entrances and expect our instructions," he stated. "Ignore commands from your officers. Point your arms at those who command you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our families if we are killed."

President's Lack of Response

No information has been posted on the president's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was pictured meeting the directors of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to address bettering educational conditions.

Activist Concerns

An activist who attended Saturday's demonstrations expressed she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 takeover that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also condemned government officials who made quick addresses to the masses in front of the town hall as "opportunists".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'event' are all risky," commented the activist, who didn't want to be named for apprehension for her well-being.

Gen Z Perspective

A participant of the young activists, a decentralized collective of youth that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but many developments are occurring [and] we do not desire another dishonest person to gain authority here, so we will do everything to have the right to choose who to put up there," he stated.