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A multitude of demonstrators opposing Madagascar's president were accompanied on the roads of the main city on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an specialized army division, who earlier in the day said they would not open fire on activists.

Marching With Military Transports

Protesters walked with troops from the Capsat squadron, who piloted heavy vehicles, some waving Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers installed the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a seizure of power in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the President

The troops' participation escalated strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for step aside. The young people-led protests commenced on 25 September, initially over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly broadened into appeals for a complete restructuring of the government system, with the youth protesters not appeased by Rajoelina firing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

Previously that day, police used flashbangs and teargas to try to disperse the demonstrators. The freshly assigned minister of the armed forces also urged soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who are against us to focus on dialogue," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a mediator and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Military Opposition

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

"We must combine efforts, military, security forces and police, and reject payment to shoot our friends, our colleagues and our compatriots," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the aviation hub to "prevent all planes from departing".

"Secure the entrances and await our instructions," he stated. "Disregard commands from your superiors. Aim your weapons at those who command you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our loved ones if we perish."

Head of State's Inactivity

No information has been shared on the head of state's online profiles since Friday night, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to address enhancing educational conditions.

Activist Worries

An demonstrator who attended the Saturday protests expressed she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced politicians who made brief statements to the masses in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"That's why I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those individuals involved in this 'event' are all risky," said the protester, who requested anonymity for concern for her safety.

Gen Z Outlook

A representative of Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless collective of students that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also raised questions about what would happen next. "We are very happy, but many developments are occurring [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy person to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the opportunity to elect who to put up there," he said.