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Numerous protesters in opposition to the nation's president were supported on the roads of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army division, who that morning said they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Advancing With Armored Vehicles

Demonstrators marched alongside military personnel from the Capsat division, who operated armored vehicles, some waving national flags, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been denied entry to. Capsat troops propelled the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a coup in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the President

The troops' involvement ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who protesters have been demanding stand down. The youth-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they quickly expanded into appeals for a comprehensive restructuring of the political system, with the younger generation activists not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Response

Earlier in the day, law enforcement used stun grenades and riot control agents to try to break up the protesters. The newly named minister of the armed forces also appealed to troops to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

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

Military Defiance

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

"We should unite, military, gendarmes and officers, and refuse to be paid to shoot our allies, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he declared, also urging soldiers at the aviation hub to "stop all flights from departing".

"Secure the access points and await our orders," he declared. "Do not obey commands from your commanders. Aim your arms at those who instruct you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our families if we perish."

Leader's Lack of Response

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 country's colleges to talk about improving the student experience.

Activist Worries

An protester who participated in Saturday's demonstrations stated she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised government officials who made brief speeches to the masses in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people circling this 'development' are all dangerous," stated the activist, who requested anonymity for fear for her well-being.

Gen Z Outlook

A participant of the young activists, a non-hierarchical group of young people that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also raised questions about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we don't want another untrustworthy figure to take the power here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to elect who to put up there," he said.