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Thousands of activists in opposition to Madagascar's leader were supported on the roads of the capital city on Saturday by soldiers from an premier army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Proceeding With Heavy Cars

Protesters marched with troops from the Capsat division, who drove military transports, some waving Madagascar flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been denied entry to. Capsat troops propelled the incumbent president, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the Head of State

The military's intervention ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who protesters have been demanding resign. The student-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they swiftly widened into demands for a complete restructuring of the governance structure, with the youth demonstrators not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Security Forces Response

That morning, security forces deployed disorientation devices and teargas to try to break up the demonstrators. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also appealed to troops to "remain calm", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We appeal to our comrades who oppose us to emphasize discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army remains a peacemaker and forms the state's last line of defence."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat officer supported by a large group of military personnel appealed to other military units to "refuse orders to shoot your friends", in a video that was posted on online platforms before they left their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, troops, paramilitary and officers, and reject payment to fire upon our friends, our colleagues and our compatriots," he stated, also calling on troops at the airport to "prevent all planes from departing".

"Shut the entrances and await our directions," he said. "Ignore commands from your superiors. Direct your firearms at those who command you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our families if we die."

President's Inactivity

No information has been published on the president's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was seen conferring with the directors of 10 of the nation's universities to address bettering students' lives.

Activist Apprehensions

An activist who joined Saturday's rallies said she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that installed Rajoelina to power. She also criticised politicians who made quick statements to the gathering in front of the city hall as "opportunists".

"This is the reason I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'event' are all risky," commented the demonstrator, who requested anonymity for concern for her security.

Gen Z Outlook

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical organization of students that has supported the arrangement of the demonstrations, also raised questions about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another dishonest individual to assume control here, so we will take all measures to have the right to choose who to place in power," he commented.