Military personnel from premier Capsat unit align with demonstrations against the nation's president

Numerous protesters opposing the nation's head of state were accompanied on the avenues of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an elite army division, who that morning declared they would not open fire on activists.

Proceeding With Heavy Cars

Activists proceeded with military personnel from the Capsat unit, who drove armored cars, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Crowds

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive gathering in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers brought the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the Head of State

The soldiers' intervention increased pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on resign. The young people-led rallies erupted on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they quickly broadened into appeals for a total overhaul of the government system, with the gen Z protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Police Measures

That morning, security forces deployed stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the activists. The recently appointed military affairs minister also appealed to military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We urge our comrades who are against us to focus on dialogue," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army remains a mediator and forms the state's last line of defence."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat officer supported by a sizable contingent of troops appealed to other troop formations to "disobey commands to attack your comrades", in a video that was published on online platforms before they departed from their barracks.

"Let us join forces, military, paramilitary and law enforcement, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our friends, our colleagues and our compatriots," he said, also urging military personnel at the aviation hub to "stop all aircraft from leaving".

"Shut the gates and await our instructions," he stated. "Do not obey commands from your commanders. Aim your weapons at those who command you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not take care of our families if we perish."

Head of State's Inactivity

No information has been published on the leader's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was pictured conferring with the heads of 10 of the nation's colleges to discuss enhancing the student experience.

Activist Concerns

An protester who participated in that day's protests said she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised political figures who made quick statements to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those figures circling this 'situation' are all concerning," commented the activist, who didn't want to be named for concern for her security.

Young Generation Outlook

A representative of the youth movement, a leaderless collective of students that has assisted in organizing the protests, also expressed doubts about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we do not desire another dishonest figure to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to elect who to install in leadership," he said.