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Thousands of activists opposing Madagascar's president were joined on the roads of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army squadron, who previously that day said they would not fire on activists.

Marching Alongside Armored Cars

Demonstrators marched alongside soldiers from the Capsat division, who operated heavy vehicles, some waving the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the cheering gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been prevented from reaching. Capsat military personnel installed the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the President

The troops' intervention ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for resign. The young people-led rallies erupted on 25 September, initially over service disruptions. However, they swiftly broadened into calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the governance structure, with the younger generation demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina removing his government last week.

Security Forces Response

That morning, police deployed stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on military personnel to "stay composed", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who are against us to prioritise dialogue," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Our nation's military is still a peacemaker and constitutes the nation's final safeguard."

Troop Opposition

However, a Capsat commander supported by a sizable contingent of military personnel appealed to other army divisions to "disobey commands to fire upon your allies", in a recording that was posted on social media before they left their base.

"We must combine efforts, troops, gendarmes and officers, and refuse to be paid to shoot our friends, our colleagues and our compatriots," he said, also urging military personnel at the airport to "stop all aircraft from taking off".

"Close the entrances and wait for our orders," he said. "Disregard orders from your commanders. Direct your weapons at those who order you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our families if we are killed."

President's Lack of Response

No updates has been published on the president's online profiles since Friday evening, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the state's colleges to talk about enhancing the student experience.

Protester Apprehensions

An protester who attended that day's demonstrations stated she was worried about the involvement of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to power. She also denounced politicians who made short addresses to the gathering in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures circling this 'situation' are all dangerous," commented the demonstrator, who requested anonymity for apprehension for her security.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A participant of the youth movement, a leaderless organization of students that has helped to coordinate the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another corrupted figure to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the right to select who to put up there," he said.