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Thousands of demonstrators in opposition to Madagascar's leader were accompanied on the streets of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army division, who that morning said they would not shoot at protesters.

Marching Together with Heavy Vehicles

Activists marched with soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who piloted heavy vehicles, some displaying the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic masses in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had before been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers installed the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Strain on the President

The soldiers' participation escalated pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on step aside. The young people-led protests erupted on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they quickly widened into demands for a complete reform of the political system, with the youth demonstrators not satisfied by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Police Measures

That morning, security forces fired flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to break up the demonstrators. The freshly assigned defense minister also urged troops to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who are against us to emphasize communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a mediator and constitutes the country's ultimate protection."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat leader joined by a significant number of military personnel called on other troop formations to "refuse orders to fire upon your friends", in a footage that was published on online platforms before they left their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, military, security forces and law enforcement, and refuse to be paid to attack our allies, our brothers and our sisters," he stated, also urging soldiers at the aviation hub to "prevent all planes from taking off".

"Shut the access points and wait for our orders," he said. "Ignore orders from your officers. Point your weapons at those who order you to attack your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our families if we perish."

President's Lack of Response

No updates has been published on the leader's digital platforms since Friday night, when he was photographed meeting the heads of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to address enhancing educational conditions.

Activist Concerns

An protester who joined that day'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 condemned politicians who made brief addresses to the gathering in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those figures circling this 'event' are all concerning," commented the protester, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her safety.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A participant of the young activists, a non-hierarchical organization of youth that has assisted in organizing the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but many developments are occurring [and] we don't want another untrustworthy individual to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to put up there," he stated.