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Numerous protesters opposing the nation's leader were accompanied on the streets of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an elite army division, who previously that day declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Proceeding With Military Vehicles

Activists marched together with troops from the Capsat squadron, who piloted armored transports, some waving national flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops brought the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the President

The military's intervention escalated strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been demanding resign. The youth-led rallies broke out on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly broadened into calls for a complete reform of the governance structure, with the younger generation protesters not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Police Response

Previously that day, law enforcement used stun grenades and teargas to try to disperse the demonstrators. The recently appointed defense minister also called on soldiers to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who are against us to prioritise dialogue," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a peacemaker and constitutes the nation's last line of defence."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a significant number of military personnel urged other army divisions to "reject directives to attack your allies", in a footage that was posted on online platforms before they left their barracks.

"Let us join forces, military, paramilitary and police, and refuse to be paid to attack our friends, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he stated, also appealing to soldiers at the airfield to "stop all flights from departing".

"Close the access points and expect our directions," he declared. "Ignore commands from your superiors. Direct your arms at those who order you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our relatives if we are killed."

President's Lack of Response

Nothing has been shared on the leader's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured meeting the leaders of 10 of the nation's colleges to discuss improving students' lives.

Activist Apprehensions

An demonstrator who joined Saturday's rallies stated she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to power. She also denounced government officials who made short addresses to the gathering in front of the city hall as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'situation' are all concerning," commented the protester, who requested anonymity for fear for her security.

Gen Z Perspective

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless collective of youth that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another corrupted individual to assume control here, so we will take all measures to have the privilege to elect who to install in leadership," he said.