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Numerous activists against Madagascar's leader were joined on the roads of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an premier army unit, who that morning said they would not shoot at protesters.

Marching Alongside Armored Vehicles

Activists walked alongside troops from the Capsat division, who drove heavy cars, some displaying the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers installed the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Raising Strain on the Leader

The military's involvement increased strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding resign. The young people-led protests broke out on 25 September, at first over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly widened into calls for a total reform of the governance structure, with the younger generation activists not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

Earlier in the day, security forces fired stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the activists. The newly named minister of the armed forces also appealed to soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We appeal to our brothers who oppose us to emphasize discussion," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army remains a intermediary and forms the state's last line of defence."

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat commander supported by a sizable contingent of military personnel urged other troop formations to "disobey commands to shoot your allies", in a recording that was posted on social media before they exited their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, troops, security forces and law enforcement, and refuse to be paid to shoot our friends, our brothers and our sisters," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the airfield to "block all planes from departing".

"Shut the entrances and expect our instructions," he said. "Disregard directives from your superiors. Point your firearms at those who order you to fire on your military brothers, because they will not take care of our loved ones if we are killed."

Head of State's Inactivity

No information has been published on the head of state's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was seen meeting the directors of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to address enhancing the student experience.

Activist Concerns

An protester who participated in that day's demonstrations said she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that installed Rajoelina to power. She also denounced politicians who made short addresses to the crowds in front of the municipal building as "self-serving individuals".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those figures circling this 'situation' are all concerning," commented the activist, who didn't want to be named for fear for her security.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A participant of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized organization of students that has assisted in organizing the protests, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy figure to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to choose who to install in leadership," he commented.