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Numerous activists in opposition to Madagascar's head of state were joined on the streets of the main city on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an elite army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not fire on activists.

Advancing Together with Armored Cars

Activists walked together with troops from the Capsat squadron, who operated armored cars, some waving the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat troops propelled the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Head of State

The military's intervention ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on stand down. The student-led demonstrations broke out on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they swiftly widened into demands for a comprehensive restructuring of the governance structure, with the gen Z protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Police Measures

That morning, security forces used disorientation devices and riot control agents to try to break up the protesters. The recently appointed defense minister also urged military personnel to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who are against us to prioritise communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army remains a peacemaker and constitutes the state's final safeguard."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander joined by a sizable contingent of soldiers urged other army divisions to "reject directives to shoot your allies", in a footage that was shared on digital networks before they exited their base.

"We must combine efforts, military, gendarmes and police, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our comrades, our colleagues and our compatriots," he said, also urging troops at the airfield to "block all flights from leaving".

"Close the gates and expect our instructions," he said. "Disregard directives from your superiors. Aim your arms at those who instruct you to shoot at your military brothers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we perish."

President's Silence

No information has been posted on the leader's online profiles since Friday night, when he was photographed conferring with the leaders of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to talk about enhancing educational conditions.

Protester Worries

An protester who attended that day's demonstrations expressed she was worried about the involvement of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced politicians who made short speeches to the gathering in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures circling this 'event' are all concerning," stated the protester, who didn't want to be named for concern for her safety.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A member of the youth movement, a decentralized collective of students that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another dishonest figure to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to put up there," he commented.