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Thousands of demonstrators in opposition to Madagascar's president were joined on the roads of the capital city on Saturday by troops from an elite army squadron, who previously that day declared they would not open fire on activists.

Marching Together with Armored Transports

Demonstrators marched alongside soldiers from the Capsat division, who operated heavy vehicles, some displaying the country's banners, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Gathering

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the cheering gathering in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been prevented from reaching. Capsat military personnel installed the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the President

The soldiers' involvement ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for resign. The youth-led protests erupted on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they quickly widened into calls for a total overhaul of the governance structure, with the gen Z activists not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his cabinet last week.

Police Response

That morning, security forces deployed flashbangs and riot control agents to try to scatter the demonstrators. The freshly assigned defense minister also urged troops to "stay composed", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We appeal to our comrades who oppose us to prioritise communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military is still a peacemaker and constitutes the country's ultimate protection."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a sizable contingent of military personnel called on other army divisions to "refuse orders to shoot your allies", in a recording that was published on digital networks before they exited their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, army, security forces and police, and reject payment to attack our friends, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he said, also calling on troops at the airport to "prevent all aircraft from departing".

"Close the entrances and await our orders," he said. "Disregard commands from your officers. Point your weapons at those who order you to attack your military brothers, because they will not support our relatives if we perish."

President's Lack of Response

No updates has been published on the leader's digital platforms since the evening of Friday, when he was seen conferring with the directors of 10 of the state's universities to address improving educational conditions.

Activist Apprehensions

An protester who joined that day's protests said she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 takeover that brought Rajoelina to power. She also denounced politicians who made brief addresses to the masses in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'event' are all dangerous," commented the activist, who didn't want to be named for apprehension for her security.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A representative of the young activists, a non-hierarchical group of students that has helped to coordinate the demonstrations, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are delighted, but significant events are unfolding [and] we don't want another untrustworthy figure to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the opportunity to choose who to place in power," he stated.