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Numerous demonstrators in opposition to Madagascar's head of state were supported on the streets of the capital on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an specialized army unit, who that morning declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Advancing Together with Armored Vehicles

Activists marched with soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who drove heavy transports, some waving Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Gathering

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been denied entry to. Capsat military personnel installed the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Leader

The soldiers' intervention ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on step aside. The youth-led demonstrations broke out on 25 September, initially over service disruptions. However, they quickly widened into calls for a total restructuring of the political system, with the youth demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Police Measures

Previously that day, security forces fired disorientation devices and riot control agents to try to disperse the activists. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also appealed to soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who are against us to focus on discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military is still a intermediary and represents the nation's ultimate protection."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a large group of soldiers appealed to other military units to "reject directives to shoot your comrades", in a footage that was published on social media before they exited their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, military, security forces and police, and decline compensation to attack our allies, our brothers and our sisters," he said, also appealing to troops at the aviation hub to "prevent all planes from taking off".

"Secure the access points and await our orders," he said. "Ignore commands from your officers. Point your weapons at those who instruct you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our families if we are killed."

Leader's Lack of Response

No updates has been posted on the head of state's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was photographed meeting the directors of 10 of the state's higher education institutions to talk about enhancing educational conditions.

Protester Worries

An activist who participated in that day's rallies expressed she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised political figures who made quick speeches to the masses in front of the town hall as "opportunists".

"That's why I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those figures circling this 'event' are all concerning," said the protester, who requested anonymity for apprehension for her well-being.

Young Generation Perspective

A member of the young activists, a non-hierarchical organization of students that has supported the arrangement of the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we do not desire another dishonest person to gain authority here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to elect who to install in leadership," he said.