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Thousands of demonstrators against the nation's leader were joined on the avenues of the capital on Saturday by military personnel from an elite army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not open fire on protesters.

Advancing Together with Armored Cars

Activists proceeded with troops from the Capsat division, who drove armored cars, some waving Madagascar flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had previously been prevented from reaching. Capsat military personnel brought the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the Leader

The soldiers' involvement ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for resign. The student-led protests commenced on 25 September, at first over water and electricity cuts. However, they quickly broadened into appeals for a complete restructuring of the government system, with the youth protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Police Actions

Previously that day, security forces fired flashbangs and teargas to try to break up the demonstrators. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also called on soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We urge our colleagues who are against us to emphasize dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military is still a mediator and constitutes the state's final safeguard."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a large group of military personnel called on other troop formations to "refuse orders to fire upon your allies", in a footage that was published on online platforms before they departed from their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, military, paramilitary and officers, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our comrades, our colleagues and our compatriots," he said, also appealing to troops at the airfield to "prevent all aircraft from departing".

"Shut the gates and await our orders," he declared. "Do not obey directives from your commanders. Aim your arms at those who command you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our loved ones if we are killed."

Leader's Lack of Response

No information has been shared on the leader's digital platforms since Friday night, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's colleges to talk about improving educational conditions.

Demonstrator Concerns

An demonstrator who attended the Saturday demonstrations said she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised government officials who made quick speeches to the masses in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"That's why I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals gravitating around this 'development' are all concerning," said the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for fear for her safety.

Gen Z Outlook

A member of the youth movement, a decentralized organization of young people that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another untrustworthy person to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to install in leadership," he stated.