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Numerous protesters in opposition to Madagascar's head of state were supported on the roads of the capital city on Saturday by troops from an premier army unit, who that morning said they would not fire on demonstrators.

Advancing Together with Heavy Vehicles

Protesters walked together with military personnel from the Capsat division, who drove armored transports, some displaying the country's banners, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had before been prevented from reaching. Capsat military personnel brought the present head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the Head of State

The troops' participation ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for step aside. The student-led rallies erupted on 25 September, initially over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly expanded into appeals for a complete overhaul of the governance structure, with the youth protesters not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

Previously that day, security forces used flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to disperse the demonstrators. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also called on military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who oppose us to focus on communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a peacemaker and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat officer joined by a significant number of soldiers appealed to other military units to "disobey commands to attack your comrades", in a video that was posted on online platforms before they departed from their headquarters.

"We should unite, army, gendarmes and law enforcement, and reject payment to shoot our comrades, our comrades and our fellow citizens," he declared, also urging military personnel at the aviation hub to "stop all flights from taking off".

"Close the access points and expect our orders," he declared. "Disregard directives from your commanders. Point your firearms at those who command you to fire on your military brothers, because they will not support our loved ones if we die."

President's Lack of Response

No information has been shared on the head of state's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed meeting the heads of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to discuss enhancing the student experience.

Demonstrator Concerns

An protester who attended that day's rallies said she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced politicians who made quick addresses to the crowds in front of the municipal building as "self-serving individuals".

"That's why I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those figures gravitating around this 'event' are all concerning," commented the protester, who didn't want to be named for fear for her security.

Young Generation Outlook

A member of the young activists, a decentralized group of youth that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but significant events are unfolding [and] we do not desire another corrupted person to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to select who to install in leadership," he commented.