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Thousands of protesters against Madagascar's leader were joined on the avenues of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an premier army division, who previously that day stated they would not open fire on activists.

Advancing Alongside Military Vehicles

Activists walked with troops from the Capsat division, who operated armored cars, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive crowds in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops brought the present president, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Tension on the Leader

The military's involvement ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding resign. The young people-led demonstrations erupted on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they quickly expanded into demands for a complete reform of the government system, with the younger generation demonstrators not appeased by Rajoelina removing his administration last week.

Law Enforcement Actions

Previously that day, law enforcement used flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to disperse the demonstrators. The newly named minister of the armed forces also urged military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our colleagues who are against us to focus on dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a peacemaker and forms the state's last line of defence."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat leader accompanied by a large group of military personnel urged other army divisions to "disobey commands to fire upon your friends", in a video that was published on online platforms before they exited their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, army, security forces and officers, and decline compensation to shoot our friends, our colleagues and our compatriots," he said, also urging troops at the airfield to "stop all planes from leaving".

"Close the entrances and wait for our orders," he declared. "Do not obey commands from your officers. Aim your arms at those who command you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our loved ones if we perish."

Head of State's Lack of Response

No information has been shared on the leader's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was pictured conferring with the heads of 10 of the nation's universities to talk about enhancing students' lives.

Protester Apprehensions

An protester who joined Saturday's protests said she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised political figures who made quick statements to the crowds in front of the city hall as "opportunists".

"That's why I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'situation' are all risky," stated the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for fear for her security.

Youth Viewpoint

A member of the youth movement, a leaderless collective of students that has helped to coordinate the protests, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we don't want another corrupted individual to take the power here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to put up there," he stated.