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Thousands of demonstrators in opposition to the nation's head of state were supported on the avenues of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an premier army unit, who earlier in the day said they would not open fire on demonstrators.

Proceeding With Heavy Transports

Demonstrators walked with troops from the Capsat division, who piloted military cars, some brandishing the country's banners, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the cheering gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops propelled the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Tension on the Leader

The military's intervention ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been calling for step aside. The youth-led protests broke out on 25 September, initially over service disruptions. However, they quickly expanded into calls for a complete reform of the governance structure, with the younger generation demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

That morning, police deployed stun grenades and teargas to try to scatter the demonstrators. The newly named military affairs minister also appealed to troops to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who disagree with us to focus on communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military remains a mediator and forms the nation's last line of defence."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a sizable contingent of soldiers called on other army divisions to "refuse orders to fire upon your comrades", in a footage that was posted on online platforms before they departed from their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, troops, security forces and officers, and decline compensation to fire upon our allies, our colleagues and our fellow citizens," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the airport to "prevent all planes from leaving".

"Close the access points and expect our directions," he said. "Disregard directives from your commanders. Point your firearms at those who instruct you to attack your military brothers, because they will not support our relatives if we perish."

Head of State's Lack of Response

No updates has been shared on the leader's digital platforms since Friday night, when he was seen conferring with the directors of 10 of the country's colleges to discuss bettering students' lives.

Activist Worries

An demonstrator who participated in the Saturday demonstrations said she was apprehensive about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised political figures who made quick speeches to the crowds in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'development' are all risky," commented the activist, who declined to give her name for concern for her well-being.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized collective of young people that has helped to coordinate the protests, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another corrupted figure to gain authority here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to choose who to install in leadership," he stated.