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Thousands of demonstrators opposing the nation's president were supported on the avenues of the capital city on Saturday by troops from an elite army division, who earlier in the day stated they would not fire on activists.

Proceeding With Heavy Transports

Protesters marched with soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who operated armored transports, some brandishing Madagascar flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the cheering crowds in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat troops brought the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Raising Strain on the Head of State

The soldiers' participation escalated tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been demanding resign. The youth-led rallies broke out on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they rapidly broadened into appeals for a total reform of the governance structure, with the youth demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Police Response

Earlier in the day, law enforcement fired flashbangs and riot control agents to try to scatter the activists. The newly named military affairs minister also called on military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our comrades who are against us to emphasize dialogue," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "The Malagasy army remains a mediator and forms the country's final safeguard."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander joined by a large group of soldiers appealed to other army divisions to "refuse orders to attack your friends", in a recording that was shared on social media before they left their barracks.

"Let us join forces, army, security forces and police, and reject payment to attack our allies, our comrades and our fellow citizens," he declared, also calling on soldiers at the airport to "stop all flights from taking off".

"Shut the entrances and await our instructions," he declared. "Do not obey orders from your officers. Aim your arms at those who command you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our loved ones if we are killed."

Leader's Silence

Nothing has been shared on the president's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was photographed discussing with the heads of 10 of the state's colleges to talk about improving the student experience.

Protester Apprehensions

An activist who joined that day's protests expressed she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised politicians who made short addresses to the crowds in front of the town hall as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'development' are all concerning," commented the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for fear for her safety.

Gen Z Outlook

A representative of the youth movement, a decentralized collective of youth that has helped to coordinate the protests, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We feel pleased, but many developments are occurring [and] we do not desire another dishonest individual to gain authority here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to elect who to place in power," he said.