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A multitude of activists opposing Madagascar's head of state were accompanied on the roads of the capital on Saturday by military personnel from an elite army squadron, who that morning said they would not fire on protesters.

Marching Alongside Military Cars

Demonstrators marched alongside troops from the Capsat unit, who piloted armored cars, some waving Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Crowds

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the cheering gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel brought the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the President

The military's intervention escalated pressure on Rajoelina, who activists have been demanding stand down. The young people-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly expanded into demands for a total reform of the government system, with the younger generation demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

Earlier in the day, police fired flashbangs and teargas to try to scatter the protesters. The newly named military affairs minister also urged troops to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who oppose us to prioritise communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "The Malagasy army continues to be a mediator and forms the country's final safeguard."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a significant number of military personnel appealed to other military units to "reject directives to fire upon your friends", in a footage that was posted on online platforms before they left their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, troops, security forces and law enforcement, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our comrades, our colleagues and our compatriots," he declared, also urging soldiers at the aviation hub to "block all flights from leaving".

"Close the entrances and await our orders," he stated. "Disregard orders from your officers. Point your arms at those who order you to attack your military brothers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we are killed."

President's Silence

Nothing has been published on the president's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was photographed discussing with the heads of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to address improving students' lives.

Activist Concerns

An protester who participated in that day's rallies expressed she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised government officials who made brief speeches to the masses in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'development' are all concerning," commented the activist, who requested anonymity for concern for her security.

Youth Viewpoint

A representative of the youth movement, a decentralized group of youth that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another dishonest individual to assume control here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to choose who to put up there," he stated.