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Thousands of demonstrators opposing the nation's president were accompanied on the avenues of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by soldiers from an premier army squadron, who earlier in the day said they would not fire on activists.

Advancing Together with Military Transports

Protesters proceeded together with troops from the Capsat squadron, who drove armored cars, some displaying the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the cheering crowds in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been denied entry to. Capsat soldiers propelled the incumbent head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a takeover in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the President

The troops' participation increased pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding resign. The youth-led protests broke out on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they quickly broadened into demands for a total restructuring of the governance structure, with the gen Z demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

That morning, law enforcement fired flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to disperse the activists. The recently appointed military affairs minister also urged soldiers to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our colleagues who oppose us to emphasize discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army remains a peacemaker and constitutes the nation's final safeguard."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a large group of military personnel appealed to other army divisions to "reject directives to shoot your friends", in a video that was published on online platforms before they exited their barracks.

"We should unite, military, gendarmes and officers, and refuse to be paid to attack our allies, our brothers and our sisters," he declared, also urging military personnel at the aviation hub to "prevent all aircraft from taking off".

"Secure the access points and await our directions," he stated. "Ignore orders from your commanders. Point your weapons at those who order you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our loved ones if we are killed."

President's Silence

Nothing has been published on the president's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured conferring with the directors of 10 of the country's colleges to talk about improving students' lives.

Activist Worries

An protester who joined that day's protests said she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised politicians who made quick addresses to the masses in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those figures involved in this 'development' are all dangerous," stated the activist, who requested anonymity for apprehension for her safety.

Young Generation Outlook

A member of the young activists, a decentralized group of students that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also raised questions about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another corrupted figure to assume control here, so we will employ all means to have the right to select who to place in power," he stated.