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Numerous activists opposing Madagascar's head of state were joined on the streets of the main city on Saturday afternoon by troops from an premier army squadron, who that morning said they would not fire on protesters.

Advancing Together with Armored Cars

Activists marched with military personnel from the Capsat squadron, who drove armored vehicles, some brandishing the country's banners, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive masses in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat military personnel brought the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Increasing Tension on the Leader

The troops' participation escalated tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding resign. The student-led protests broke out on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they swiftly widened into demands for a comprehensive reform of the government system, with the younger generation demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Police Measures

Previously that day, police fired disorientation devices and teargas to try to scatter the activists. The newly named defense minister also urged troops to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

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

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander joined by a large group of soldiers urged other army divisions to "refuse orders to shoot your allies", in a video that was shared on online platforms before they exited their base.

"We should unite, army, security forces and police, and reject payment to shoot our allies, our colleagues and our sisters," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the airfield to "block all planes from leaving".

"Secure the access points and wait for our instructions," he stated. "Ignore commands from your commanders. Point your firearms at those who instruct you to attack your comrades-in-arms, because they will not support our relatives if we are killed."

Head of State's Silence

No information has been published on the president's digital platforms since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured discussing with the leaders of 10 of the country's universities to address bettering educational conditions.

Protester Apprehensions

An activist who participated in Saturday's rallies expressed she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced politicians who made short speeches to the crowds in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'situation' are all dangerous," commented the activist, who didn't want to be named for concern for her safety.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized group of students that has helped to coordinate the protests, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but many developments are occurring [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the right to choose who to put up there," he commented.