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Thousands of demonstrators in opposition to Madagascar's leader were supported on the streets of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by soldiers from an specialized army squadron, who previously that day stated they would not fire on protesters.

Proceeding Alongside Armored Transports

Protesters proceeded together with troops from the Capsat unit, who operated military transports, some brandishing the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Crowds

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat military personnel brought the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Tension on the Leader

The military's involvement escalated pressure on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for stand down. The young people-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they rapidly widened into demands for a total reform of the governance structure, with the youth activists not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Police Measures

Previously that day, police used disorientation devices and chemical irritants to try to break up the demonstrators. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also appealed to troops to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We appeal to our comrades who disagree with us to focus on discussion," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military continues to be a intermediary and constitutes the nation's last line of defence."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat leader joined by a significant number of soldiers appealed to other troop formations to "disobey commands to attack your friends", in a footage that was published on online platforms before they departed from their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, army, paramilitary and law enforcement, and reject payment to fire upon our friends, our comrades and our fellow citizens," he said, also urging military personnel at the airfield to "block all planes from leaving".

"Shut the entrances and await our orders," he said. "Disregard commands from your commanders. Direct your arms at those who command you to shoot at your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our loved ones if we perish."

President's Lack of Response

No updates has been published on the president's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed discussing with the leaders of 10 of the nation's colleges to address bettering the student experience.

Activist Apprehensions

An demonstrator who joined that day's rallies expressed she was worried about the involvement of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised political figures who made brief speeches to the gathering in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

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

Young Generation Outlook

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical organization of students that has supported the arrangement of the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another corrupted figure to gain authority here, so we will take all measures to have the right to select who to put up there," he stated.