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Thousands of activists in opposition to Madagascar's president were accompanied on the roads of the main city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an elite army division, who previously that day declared they would not open fire on activists.

Marching With Military Transports

Demonstrators marched with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who piloted heavy transports, some displaying the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Crowds

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic crowds in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat soldiers propelled the incumbent head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the Leader

The soldiers' participation ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on stand down. The youth-led rallies broke out on 25 September, at first over utility shortages. However, they swiftly widened into appeals for a complete reform of the political system, with the youth activists not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Police Measures

Earlier in the day, law enforcement used stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to disperse the activists. The newly named defense minister also urged troops to "stay composed", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who are against us to emphasize communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military continues to be a peacemaker and forms the state's last line of defence."

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat leader accompanied by a large group of military personnel called on other army divisions to "disobey commands to attack your allies", in a recording that was shared on social media before they exited their barracks.

"We should unite, military, gendarmes and police, and decline compensation to fire upon our comrades, our colleagues and our fellow citizens," he stated, also urging troops at the airport to "block all flights from departing".

"Shut the entrances and await our orders," he said. "Ignore directives from your officers. Aim your weapons at those who command you to fire on your comrades-in-arms, because they will not support our families if we perish."

Leader's Silence

Nothing has been posted on the head of state's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was photographed meeting the directors of 10 of the country's universities to address bettering educational conditions.

Demonstrator Apprehensions

An protester who joined the Saturday demonstrations stated she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to power. She also denounced politicians who made quick statements to the masses in front of the municipal building as "self-serving individuals".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those individuals gravitating around this 'development' are all risky," said the activist, who requested anonymity for apprehension for her well-being.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical group of young people that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted person to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to place in power," he said.