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A multitude of activists opposing the nation's president were accompanied on the avenues of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by soldiers from an specialized army division, who earlier in the day declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Marching With Military Transports

Demonstrators walked alongside troops from the Capsat division, who operated military vehicles, some brandishing the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Gathering

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive masses in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers installed the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Tension on the President

The troops' involvement increased tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on step aside. The youth-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they quickly expanded into demands for a complete reform of the political system, with the younger generation activists not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his cabinet last week.

Security Forces Response

Earlier in the day, law enforcement used stun grenades and riot control agents to try to break up the activists. The freshly assigned defense minister also appealed to troops to "stay composed", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who disagree with us to focus on communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a peacemaker and represents the state's ultimate protection."

Troop Opposition

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a sizable contingent of military personnel appealed to other military units to "disobey commands to fire upon your allies", in a video that was published on online platforms before they left their barracks.

"Let us join forces, troops, security forces and police, and decline compensation to fire upon our friends, our colleagues and our sisters," he declared, also appealing to troops at the aviation hub to "stop all flights from leaving".

"Close the access points and await our instructions," he declared. "Ignore orders from your superiors. Point your arms at those who order you to shoot at your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our families if we perish."

Leader's Lack of Response

No updates has been shared on the head of state's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's colleges to address enhancing the student experience.

Activist Worries

An demonstrator who joined that day's protests said she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced government officials who made quick addresses to the crowds in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'situation' are all concerning," said the demonstrator, who declined to give her name for fear for her well-being.

Young Generation Outlook

A member of the young activists, a leaderless group of youth that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another dishonest individual to gain authority here, so we will do everything to have the opportunity to select who to install in leadership," he commented.