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A multitude of demonstrators against the nation's president were accompanied on the avenues of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by troops from an elite army unit, who previously that day declared they would not shoot at protesters.

Marching With Armored Transports

Protesters marched alongside troops from the Capsat division, who operated armored cars, some waving Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the cheering masses in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been prevented from reaching. Capsat troops propelled the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the Leader

The troops' intervention escalated strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on resign. The young people-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, initially over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly expanded into calls for a complete overhaul of the government system, with the youth protesters not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Response

That morning, police used disorientation devices and chemical irritants to try to scatter the activists. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on soldiers to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who are against us to prioritise communication," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Our nation's military is still a peacemaker and constitutes the nation's ultimate protection."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander joined by a sizable contingent of troops urged other army divisions to "disobey commands to fire upon your comrades", in a video that was shared on online platforms before they left their base.

"We should unite, army, security forces and police, and reject payment to shoot our friends, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he declared, also appealing to troops at the aviation hub to "block all flights from leaving".

"Secure the access points and expect our directions," he said. "Ignore commands from your officers. Point your arms at those who command you to attack your military brothers, because they will not support our relatives if we are killed."

Leader's Silence

Nothing has been published on the leader's digital platforms since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed meeting the directors of 10 of the state's higher education institutions to address enhancing the student experience.

Activist Apprehensions

An activist who attended Saturday's protests stated she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 takeover that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also condemned political figures who made brief addresses to the gathering in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"That's why I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'situation' are all risky," commented the protester, who declined to give her name for fear for her security.

Young Generation Perspective

A member of the young activists, a leaderless group of young people that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another dishonest person to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the opportunity to select who to place in power," he said.