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A multitude of protesters opposing the nation's president were accompanied on the avenues of the main city on Saturday by troops from an elite army unit, who that morning declared they would not shoot at protesters.

Marching Together with Military Vehicles

Protesters walked together with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who piloted heavy transports, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive crowds in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat soldiers brought the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Tension on the President

The soldiers' participation ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who protesters have been insisting on resign. The youth-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly expanded into demands for a complete overhaul of the government system, with the gen Z demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Police Measures

That morning, police deployed flashbangs and riot control agents to try to disperse the demonstrators. The newly named defense minister also called on troops to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our comrades who oppose us to prioritise dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a intermediary and represents the country's ultimate protection."

Troop Resistance

However, a Capsat officer joined by a significant number of soldiers urged other military units to "reject directives to shoot your allies", in a video that was published on social media before they departed from their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, troops, paramilitary and officers, and reject payment to shoot our allies, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he declared, also calling on military personnel at the aviation hub to "block all planes from leaving".

"Shut the access points and await our directions," he said. "Ignore commands from your officers. Aim your firearms at those who instruct you to shoot at your military brothers, because they will not take care of our families if we perish."

Head of State's Silence

No updates has been published on the president's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was photographed meeting the leaders of 10 of the nation's universities to talk about bettering the student experience.

Protester Concerns

An activist who joined the Saturday protests said she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 takeover that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced political figures who made short speeches to the gathering in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"That's why I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'situation' are all dangerous," commented the protester, who requested anonymity for concern for her well-being.

Young Generation Perspective

A participant of the young activists, a non-hierarchical organization of youth that has assisted in organizing the protests, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we do not desire another untrustworthy figure to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the privilege to select who to put up there," he said.