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Thousands of protesters against the nation's head of state were joined on the streets of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an elite army division, who that morning declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Marching Alongside Military Vehicles

Protesters proceeded alongside soldiers from the Capsat division, who piloted heavy transports, some waving national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Crowds

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic masses in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops brought the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Increasing Tension on the President

The military's intervention increased strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been demanding stand down. The student-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they quickly widened into calls for a total restructuring of the government system, with the gen Z activists not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

That morning, law enforcement fired stun grenades and riot control agents to try to scatter the protesters. The freshly assigned minister of the armed forces also appealed to troops to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who are against us to emphasize discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army remains a intermediary and constitutes the nation's last line of defence."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat leader accompanied by a significant number of soldiers appealed to other troop formations to "disobey commands to fire upon your friends", in a video that was posted on online platforms before they exited their barracks.

"Let us join forces, military, security forces and police, and refuse to be paid to shoot our allies, our colleagues and our sisters," he declared, also calling on troops at the aviation hub to "stop all aircraft from taking off".

"Close the access points and expect our instructions," he declared. "Disregard directives from your officers. Direct your firearms at those who order you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our families if we are killed."

Leader's Silence

No information has been shared on the head of state's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured meeting the leaders of 10 of the nation's colleges to address improving educational conditions.

Demonstrator Concerns

An protester who joined the Saturday demonstrations stated she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced government officials who made quick addresses to the masses in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"That's why I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'situation' are all dangerous," said the protester, who requested anonymity for concern for her safety.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A member of the young activists, a decentralized organization of students that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also raised questions about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another dishonest figure to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the privilege to choose who to put up there," he stated.