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A multitude of demonstrators against Madagascar's leader were accompanied on the avenues of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Proceeding With Armored Cars

Protesters marched with military personnel from the Capsat squadron, who piloted heavy cars, some waving Madagascar flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the enthusiastic masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat military personnel brought the incumbent head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the President

The military's participation ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on resign. The young people-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they swiftly expanded into calls for a comprehensive reform of the governance structure, with the younger generation demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Security Forces Response

Earlier in the day, law enforcement used disorientation devices and riot control agents to try to scatter the demonstrators. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on military personnel to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our brothers who disagree with us to prioritise communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military continues to be a peacemaker and represents the nation's last line of defence."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a sizable contingent of soldiers called on other troop formations to "disobey commands to fire upon your comrades", in a video that was shared on social media before they left their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, troops, gendarmes and police, and refuse to be paid to attack our comrades, our brothers and our compatriots," he declared, also calling on troops at the aviation hub to "stop all planes from taking off".

"Close the access points and await our orders," he declared. "Ignore commands from your commanders. Direct your arms at those who order you to fire on your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our families if we die."

Leader's Silence

Nothing has been published on the president's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed meeting the leaders of 10 of the nation's universities to talk about enhancing students' lives.

Activist Worries

An protester who participated in that day's demonstrations said she was apprehensive about the participation of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced politicians who made short speeches to the gathering in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'event' are all risky," commented the protester, who didn't want to be named for concern for her safety.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A member of the youth movement, a non-hierarchical collective of students that has supported the arrangement of the demonstrations, also expressed doubts about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but many developments are occurring [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to assume control here, so we will employ all means to have the privilege to choose who to put up there," he said.