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A multitude of demonstrators against Madagascar's head of state were supported on the roads of the main city on Saturday by military personnel from an premier army division, who that morning stated they would not shoot at activists.

Proceeding Together with Heavy Cars

Protesters proceeded with troops from the Capsat division, who drove armored vehicles, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive crowds in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel propelled the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the Head of State

The soldiers' involvement increased strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for resign. The young people-led protests broke out on 25 September, initially over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly broadened into calls for a complete restructuring of the government system, with the younger generation demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina removing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

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

"We appeal to our comrades who are against us to emphasize discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a intermediary and constitutes the nation's ultimate protection."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat officer joined by a significant number of soldiers appealed to other military units to "refuse orders to attack your allies", in a video that was published on online platforms before they left their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, military, paramilitary and police, and decline compensation to shoot our friends, our colleagues and our fellow citizens," he said, also appealing to military personnel at the airport to "prevent all aircraft from taking off".

"Shut the entrances and wait for our directions," he stated. "Do not obey orders from your commanders. Direct your arms at those who instruct you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not support our relatives if we are killed."

Leader's Lack of Response

Nothing has been shared on the leader's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed discussing with the heads of 10 of the nation's universities to address enhancing students' lives.

Activist Concerns

An demonstrator who joined Saturday's rallies expressed she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 takeover that installed Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned politicians who made brief speeches to the crowds in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures gravitating around this 'event' are all concerning," said the protester, who declined to give her name for concern for her well-being.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A participant of the young activists, a non-hierarchical collective of youth that has assisted in organizing the protests, also voiced concerns about what would occur subsequently. "We feel pleased, but many developments are occurring [and] we don't want another corrupted person to gain authority here, so we will do everything to have the right to elect who to put up there," he commented.