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A multitude of demonstrators against Madagascar's head of state were supported on the avenues of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an specialized army squadron, who earlier in the day said they would not fire on demonstrators.

Marching With Heavy Cars

Protesters proceeded alongside soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who drove military transports, some displaying national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Crowds

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops propelled the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a takeover in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Leader

The soldiers' participation escalated strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been demanding step aside. The student-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they swiftly broadened into demands for a complete restructuring of the governance structure, with the youth activists not satisfied by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Response

Previously that day, law enforcement deployed disorientation devices and teargas to try to disperse the activists. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also urged soldiers to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who disagree with us to prioritise discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a intermediary and forms the nation's last line of defence."

Troop Defiance

However, a Capsat officer supported by a significant number of military personnel urged other military units to "refuse orders to fire upon your comrades", in a video that was published on digital networks before they left their barracks.

"Let us join forces, troops, paramilitary and police, and decline compensation to attack our friends, our colleagues and our fellow citizens," he stated, also appealing to military personnel at the airfield to "stop all planes from taking off".

"Close the gates and await our orders," he declared. "Do not obey commands from your superiors. Direct your arms at those who command you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not support our families if we die."

Head of State's Inactivity

No updates has been shared on the head of state's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed discussing with the leaders of 10 of the nation's universities to address enhancing students' lives.

Demonstrator Apprehensions

An protester who joined that day's protests expressed she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned government officials who made short statements to the crowds in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people circling this 'situation' are all concerning," stated the protester, who declined to give her name for concern for her security.

Gen Z Outlook

A member of the young activists, a non-hierarchical group of young people that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would occur subsequently. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another dishonest person to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the right to choose who to place in power," he said.