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A multitude of protesters in opposition to Madagascar's leader were joined on the avenues of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army squadron, who earlier in the day said they would not shoot at protesters.

Marching Alongside Armored Transports

Protesters walked together with military personnel from the Capsat unit, who piloted heavy vehicles, some brandishing national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Crowds

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive gathering in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers brought the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Raising Strain on the Head of State

The military's participation ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for step aside. The student-led protests broke out on 25 September, initially over utility shortages. However, they quickly widened into demands for a comprehensive reform of the political system, with the youth protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his government last week.

Security Forces Response

That morning, police used stun grenades and teargas to try to disperse the activists. The freshly assigned defense minister also called on troops to "remain calm", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We urge our comrades who oppose us to prioritise communication," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a mediator and represents the country's last line of defence."

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat leader joined by a sizable contingent of military personnel urged other military units to "reject directives to shoot your allies", in a video that was published on digital networks before they exited their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, army, security forces and law enforcement, and refuse to be paid to shoot our comrades, our colleagues and our compatriots," he declared, also calling on troops at the aviation hub to "block all flights from leaving".

"Secure the entrances and await our directions," he stated. "Disregard orders from your commanders. Point your arms at those who command you to attack your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our relatives if we are killed."

Leader's Lack of Response

No information has been posted on the president's online profiles since Friday evening, when he was seen conferring with the heads of 10 of the nation's universities to address bettering students' lives.

Protester Worries

An protester who participated in the Saturday rallies said she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced government officials who made short addresses to the masses in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'development' are all concerning," said the activist, who declined to give her name for fear for her safety.

Youth Outlook

A representative of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized group of youth that has supported the arrangement of the rallies, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We are delighted, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the right to choose who to place in power," he said.