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Thousands of demonstrators against Madagascar's leader were supported on the streets of the main city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an specialized army unit, who that morning declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Marching With Military Vehicles

Activists walked with military personnel from the Capsat squadron, who piloted armored cars, some waving national flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Crowds

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers propelled the present head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Head of State

The military's intervention escalated strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on step aside. The youth-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they swiftly broadened into demands for a comprehensive reform of the political system, with the gen Z protesters not placated by Rajoelina removing his cabinet last week.

Police Response

Earlier in the day, law enforcement deployed disorientation devices and chemical irritants to try to scatter the demonstrators. The newly named military affairs minister also appealed to soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We urge our colleagues who oppose us to focus on discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces continues to be a intermediary and constitutes the nation's ultimate protection."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a significant number of troops appealed to other troop formations to "disobey commands to shoot your comrades", in a video that was posted on social media before they exited their headquarters.

"We should unite, military, security forces and law enforcement, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our allies, our comrades and our fellow citizens," he said, also calling on military personnel at the airfield to "stop all flights from departing".

"Close the access points and expect our orders," he stated. "Do not obey commands from your superiors. Point your weapons at those who command you to attack your military brothers, because they will not take care of our families if we die."

Head of State's Silence

No updates has been published on the president's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's universities to discuss enhancing students' lives.

Activist Worries

An activist who attended Saturday's rallies stated she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. She also denounced political figures who made brief speeches to the crowds in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'development' are all risky," commented the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for fear for her safety.

Youth Viewpoint

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless collective of youth that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another corrupted person to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to select who to put up there," he commented.