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A multitude of activists against Madagascar's president were supported on the roads of the capital on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army unit, who earlier in the day stated they would not open fire on protesters.

Marching Together with Military Vehicles

Protesters proceeded with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who drove armored vehicles, some brandishing the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive crowds in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had before been prevented from reaching. Capsat troops installed the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Leader

The troops' intervention ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on resign. The young people-led protests erupted on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they swiftly broadened into demands for a comprehensive overhaul of the governance structure, with the youth activists not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Security Forces Actions

That morning, law enforcement used stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to scatter the activists. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also called on troops to "keep peaceful", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our colleagues who are against us to prioritise communication," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military is still a mediator and constitutes the country's final safeguard."

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat officer supported by a significant number of military personnel urged other military units to "refuse orders to fire upon your allies", in a recording that was posted on social media before they departed from their base.

"Let us join forces, army, security forces and officers, and reject payment to fire upon our allies, our colleagues and our compatriots," he stated, also appealing to military personnel at the aviation hub to "stop all aircraft from taking off".

"Secure the gates and wait for our orders," he stated. "Disregard directives from your officers. Direct your arms at those who instruct you to shoot at your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we die."

Head of State's Silence

No updates has been posted on the president's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed meeting the directors of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to talk about enhancing students' lives.

Activist Worries

An activist who joined that day's rallies stated she was worried about the participation of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced political figures who made quick addresses to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals involved in this 'situation' are all concerning," commented the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for concern for her safety.

Gen Z Outlook

A representative of the youth movement, a leaderless organization of youth that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We feel pleased, but many developments are occurring [and] we don't want another untrustworthy figure to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the privilege to choose who to place in power," he commented.