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Thousands of protesters in opposition to the nation's president were supported on the roads of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an elite army division, who that morning stated they would not shoot at activists.

Marching With Heavy Transports

Activists marched together with military personnel from the Capsat squadron, who operated armored transports, some displaying the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Gathering

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had previously been prevented from reaching. Capsat soldiers installed the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Tension on the Leader

The troops' participation ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on resign. The youth-led rallies commenced on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they rapidly expanded into demands for a total reform of the political system, with the gen Z activists not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his government last week.

Police Measures

That morning, police used stun grenades and teargas to try to disperse the activists. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also appealed to military personnel to "remain calm", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We urge our comrades who disagree with us to focus on discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military is still a peacemaker and represents the state's last line of defence."

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat leader supported by a large group of troops called on other army divisions to "refuse orders to fire upon your friends", in a recording that was shared on digital networks before they exited their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, military, paramilitary and officers, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our comrades, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he declared, also appealing to military personnel at the airport to "block all planes from taking off".

"Secure the gates and expect our orders," he said. "Disregard directives from your officers. Direct your weapons at those who command you to fire on your comrades-in-arms, because they will not support our families if we are killed."

Leader's Inactivity

No updates has been published on the president's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured discussing with the leaders of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to address bettering educational conditions.

Protester Worries

An protester who joined Saturday's rallies expressed she was apprehensive about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised political figures who made quick addresses to the masses in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people involved in this 'development' are all dangerous," commented the activist, who declined to give her name for fear for her safety.

Gen Z Perspective

A representative of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized collective of young people that has supported the arrangement of the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another untrustworthy person to assume control here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to place in power," he commented.