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Thousands of activists opposing the nation's leader were joined on the avenues of the capital city on Saturday by troops from an specialized army squadron, who previously that day declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Proceeding Alongside Heavy Vehicles

Activists proceeded alongside soldiers from the Capsat division, who drove armored vehicles, some waving Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Crowds

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic masses in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat military personnel propelled the present president, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Head of State

The soldiers' intervention ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding step aside. The youth-led rallies broke out on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they swiftly expanded into appeals for a comprehensive reform of the government system, with the gen Z demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

That morning, security forces used disorientation devices and riot control agents to try to break up the demonstrators. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also urged soldiers to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who oppose us to prioritise communication," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces continues to be a peacemaker and constitutes the nation's ultimate protection."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a significant number of military personnel appealed to other troop formations to "reject directives to shoot your comrades", in a recording that was shared on social media before they left their barracks.

"Let us join forces, military, gendarmes and officers, and reject payment to attack our allies, our colleagues and our sisters," he said, also appealing to troops at the airfield to "stop all aircraft from leaving".

"Secure the gates and await our orders," he declared. "Do not obey directives from your superiors. Direct your firearms at those who command you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our relatives if we perish."

Leader's Inactivity

Nothing has been shared on the head of state's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to address improving students' lives.

Activist Apprehensions

An protester who joined Saturday's protests expressed she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to power. She also criticised politicians who made short speeches to the gathering in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those figures circling this 'situation' are all risky," said the protester, who requested anonymity for fear for her security.

Young Generation Outlook

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized group of young people that has helped to coordinate the demonstrations, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to select who to install in leadership," he said.