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Numerous activists against Madagascar's leader were accompanied on the avenues of the main city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an elite army division, who that morning stated they would not shoot at activists.

Marching Together with Armored Transports

Activists walked together with soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who piloted military transports, some displaying national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat military personnel propelled the present head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Raising Tension on the President

The soldiers' participation ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for stand down. The young people-led rallies commenced on 25 September, initially over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly widened into calls for a comprehensive restructuring of the political system, with the younger generation protesters not appeased by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Security Forces Response

That morning, law enforcement fired stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the activists. The freshly assigned defense minister also appealed to military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who disagree with us to focus on discussion," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Madagascar's armed forces continues to be a mediator and forms the nation's ultimate protection."

Troop Resistance

However, a Capsat leader joined by a significant number of soldiers urged other army divisions to "reject directives to shoot your allies", in a video that was posted on digital networks before they left their headquarters.

"We should unite, military, paramilitary and law enforcement, and decline compensation to attack our allies, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he said, also urging military personnel at the airfield to "stop all planes from leaving".

"Shut the gates and wait for our directions," he said. "Do not obey directives from your officers. Point your firearms at those who instruct you to shoot at your military brothers, because they will not look after our families if we are killed."

Leader's Lack of Response

No updates has been shared on the leader's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was pictured meeting the directors of 10 of the nation's colleges to discuss enhancing educational conditions.

Activist Concerns

An demonstrator who attended that day's rallies said she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced political figures who made quick speeches to the crowds in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'development' are all risky," commented the protester, who declined to give her name for fear for her safety.

Youth Viewpoint

A participant of the young activists, a non-hierarchical collective of young people that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy person to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to select who to put up there," he said.