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Thousands of demonstrators in opposition to the nation's leader were joined on the roads of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army unit, who previously that day declared they would not fire on activists.

Proceeding Together with Heavy Vehicles

Activists proceeded together with military personnel from the Capsat unit, who operated heavy cars, some waving Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had previously been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers installed the present head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the Head of State

The troops' intervention escalated pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for stand down. The young people-led rallies erupted on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they quickly widened into appeals for a complete overhaul of the government system, with the gen Z protesters not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

Earlier in the day, police used stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the activists. The newly named defense minister also appealed to troops to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our colleagues who disagree with us to emphasize communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "The Malagasy army remains a peacemaker and constitutes the country's ultimate protection."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a large group of soldiers urged other troop formations to "reject directives to shoot your friends", in a recording that was posted on digital networks before they left their base.

"We must combine efforts, military, paramilitary and police, and decline compensation to attack our friends, our comrades and our fellow citizens," he declared, also urging military personnel at the airport to "stop all planes from taking off".

"Shut the access points and expect our orders," he said. "Do not obey orders from your commanders. Point your weapons at those who order you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our families if we die."

President's Inactivity

Nothing has been published on the head of state's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was seen discussing with the heads of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to discuss bettering educational conditions.

Demonstrator Worries

An activist who joined that day's demonstrations expressed she was worried about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned politicians who made brief addresses to the masses in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"For this purpose I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people circling this 'event' are all dangerous," said the activist, who didn't want to be named for apprehension for her well-being.

Youth Perspective

A member 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 a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another dishonest individual to gain authority here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to select who to place in power," he commented.