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A multitude of activists opposing Madagascar's head of state were supported on the streets of the capital on Saturday afternoon by troops from an specialized army unit, who previously that day said they would not open fire on protesters.

Marching Together with Military Transports

Demonstrators proceeded alongside troops from the Capsat division, who drove military cars, some brandishing national flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Crowds

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive masses in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had previously been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers installed the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the President

The soldiers' involvement increased strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been calling for step aside. The young people-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly broadened into demands for a total restructuring of the political system, with the gen Z activists not placated by Rajoelina firing his cabinet last week.

Police Response

Previously that day, law enforcement used stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to scatter the activists. The freshly assigned minister of the armed forces also called on soldiers to "remain calm", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who disagree with us to focus on dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a mediator and represents the country's last line of defence."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat leader accompanied by a sizable contingent of soldiers called on other military units to "disobey commands to fire upon your allies", in a footage that was posted on digital networks before they departed from their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, troops, security forces and officers, and reject payment to fire upon our allies, our colleagues and our compatriots," he said, also calling on troops at the airport to "block all planes from departing".

"Close the access points and expect our directions," he stated. "Ignore directives from your officers. Direct your weapons at those who order you to attack your military brothers, because they will not take care of our loved ones if we die."

Head of State's Lack of Response

Nothing has been published on the president's online profiles since Friday night, when he was photographed discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's colleges to address enhancing students' lives.

Demonstrator Apprehensions

An demonstrator who participated in the Saturday rallies stated she was worried about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced political figures who made short addresses to the masses in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'development' are all risky," stated the activist, who declined to give her name for concern for her safety.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized collective of youth that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We feel pleased, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another corrupted individual to take the power here, so we will take all measures to have the right to select who to place in power," he stated.