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A multitude of protesters opposing Madagascar's leader were accompanied on the avenues of the main city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an elite army squadron, who that morning said they would not fire on demonstrators.

Marching With Armored Cars

Activists proceeded together with military personnel from the Capsat division, who drove military vehicles, some brandishing the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the enthusiastic masses in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers brought the present president, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the President

The troops' involvement ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on stand down. The student-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they quickly broadened into demands for a comprehensive restructuring of the political system, with the youth protesters not appeased by Rajoelina removing his government last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

Earlier in the day, security forces deployed stun grenades and riot control agents to try to break up the demonstrators. The freshly assigned defense minister also called on troops to "remain calm", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We urge our colleagues who are against us to focus on discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army continues to be a intermediary and forms the country's last line of defence."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat officer supported by a large group of troops called on other army divisions to "refuse orders to attack your comrades", in a recording that was published on social media before they departed from their barracks.

"Let us join forces, army, gendarmes and officers, and decline compensation to fire upon our allies, our comrades and our sisters," he declared, also urging troops at the airfield to "block all planes from departing".

"Shut the gates and expect our instructions," he declared. "Disregard orders from your superiors. Direct your weapons at those who order you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our families if we perish."

Head of State's Silence

No information has been posted on the president's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was photographed meeting the leaders of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to talk about enhancing students' lives.

Activist Worries

An activist who attended Saturday's demonstrations stated she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised politicians who made quick statements to the masses in front of the city hall as "opportunists".

"That's why I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'development' are all dangerous," commented the demonstrator, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her well-being.

Youth Perspective

A participant of the youth movement, a decentralized group of young people that has helped to coordinate the protests, also expressed doubts about what would happen next. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another untrustworthy figure to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to elect who to place in power," he stated.