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Thousands of demonstrators opposing Madagascar's head of state were accompanied on the roads of the capital on Saturday by soldiers from an premier army squadron, who that morning stated they would not open fire on activists.

Marching Alongside Armored Transports

Demonstrators marched together with soldiers from the Capsat division, who piloted heavy transports, some displaying national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Crowds

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat troops brought the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the President

The soldiers' intervention escalated tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on stand down. The student-led protests broke out on 25 September, at first over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly broadened into calls for a complete restructuring of the government system, with the younger generation activists not placated by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

That morning, law enforcement used stun grenades and riot control agents to try to disperse the demonstrators. The newly named military affairs minister also called on soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our brothers who oppose us to emphasize dialogue," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military remains a intermediary and constitutes the country's final safeguard."

Troop Opposition

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a large group of soldiers called on other army divisions to "refuse orders to shoot your comrades", in a recording that was published on social media before they exited their headquarters.

"We should unite, military, paramilitary and police, and refuse to be paid to attack our comrades, our comrades and our compatriots," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the aviation hub to "prevent all planes from taking off".

"Close the gates and await our directions," he said. "Ignore commands from your commanders. Point your arms at those who command you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our families if we die."

Leader's Inactivity

Nothing has been published on the president's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was pictured conferring with the leaders of 10 of the country's colleges to discuss enhancing the student experience.

Protester Apprehensions

An activist who joined Saturday's rallies expressed she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced government officials who made quick addresses to the crowds in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals gravitating around this 'situation' are all concerning," said the activist, who requested anonymity for concern for her safety.

Gen Z Outlook

A participant of the young activists, a decentralized group of students that has supported the arrangement of the rallies, also raised questions about what would transpire in the future. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy individual to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to install in leadership," he commented.