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Thousands of activists against Madagascar's head of state were accompanied on the avenues of the capital on Saturday by soldiers from an specialized army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Advancing Alongside Armored Cars

Activists marched with soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who drove armored vehicles, some waving national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the cheering masses in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat troops installed the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the President

The military's involvement escalated strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for step aside. The student-led protests commenced on 25 September, initially over utility shortages. However, they rapidly widened into appeals for a total reform of the political system, with the gen Z demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his government last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

Earlier in the day, security forces fired flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to break up the demonstrators. The newly named minister of the armed forces also called on military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who disagree with us to prioritise dialogue," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces continues to be a mediator and constitutes the state's final safeguard."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat leader accompanied by a significant number of soldiers urged other army divisions to "refuse orders to fire upon your friends", in a recording that was posted on digital networks before they left their barracks.

"Let us join forces, army, paramilitary and officers, and refuse to be paid to shoot our comrades, our colleagues and our sisters," he stated, also appealing to military personnel at the aviation hub to "stop all planes from leaving".

"Shut the entrances and expect our directions," he declared. "Ignore commands from your superiors. Direct your firearms at those who order you to attack your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our loved ones if we perish."

Head of State's Silence

No information has been shared on the president's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was seen discussing with the leaders of 10 of the state's universities to talk about bettering students' lives.

Protester Worries

An protester who participated in Saturday's rallies said she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned government officials who made brief speeches to the crowds 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 circling this 'event' are all risky," said the protester, who declined to give her name for fear for her well-being.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized group of youth that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy individual to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the privilege to elect who to put up there," he said.