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Numerous protesters in opposition to the nation's head of state were accompanied on the roads of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by soldiers from an premier army unit, who previously that day said they would not open fire on demonstrators.

Marching With Military Transports

Demonstrators proceeded together with military personnel from the Capsat division, who piloted military cars, some brandishing Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the cheering gathering in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been prevented from reaching. Capsat soldiers installed the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Head of State

The military's participation increased pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for resign. The youth-led rallies erupted on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they quickly widened into calls for a comprehensive reform of the political system, with the gen Z activists not placated by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Response

Earlier in the day, police deployed disorientation devices and chemical irritants to try to disperse the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We appeal to our colleagues who oppose us to focus on communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Our nation's military is still a intermediary and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a large group of military personnel appealed to other army divisions to "refuse orders to attack your friends", in a recording that was published on online platforms before they left their base.

"We should unite, troops, security forces and police, and reject payment to shoot our friends, our comrades and our compatriots," he declared, also calling on soldiers at the airfield to "block all flights from leaving".

"Secure the access points and wait for our instructions," he stated. "Disregard orders from your commanders. Point your weapons at those who instruct you to shoot at your military brothers, because they will not look after our families if we are killed."

Leader's Inactivity

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

Protester Concerns

An demonstrator who participated in Saturday's demonstrations expressed she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that installed Rajoelina to power. She also condemned politicians who made short speeches to the gathering in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"That's why I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people involved in this 'development' are all dangerous," commented the activist, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her well-being.

Youth Perspective

A representative of the youth movement, a decentralized group of students that has assisted in organizing the protests, also raised questions about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but many developments are occurring [and] we do not desire another untrustworthy person to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to elect who to install in leadership," he said.