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A multitude of demonstrators opposing the nation's president were supported on the avenues of the main city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army division, who that morning said they would not shoot at protesters.

Proceeding With Armored Cars

Demonstrators walked with troops from the Capsat unit, who drove military cars, some waving the country's banners, from their headquarters in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the cheering gathering in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had previously been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops installed the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Tension on the Leader

The military's involvement ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for resign. The young people-led rallies broke out on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they rapidly widened into calls for a complete restructuring of the government system, with the gen Z activists not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Measures

Earlier in the day, police deployed flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to break up the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on troops to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who oppose us to prioritise discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Our nation's military is still a peacemaker and constitutes the state's last line of defence."

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a sizable contingent of troops appealed to other troop formations to "disobey commands to fire upon your allies", in a footage that was posted on social media before they departed from their base.

"Let us join forces, troops, security forces and police, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our comrades, our comrades and our compatriots," he stated, also urging soldiers at the airfield to "prevent all aircraft from leaving".

"Secure the entrances and expect our orders," he stated. "Ignore directives from your officers. Point your firearms at those who order you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our loved ones if we perish."

Leader's Silence

No updates has been posted on the leader's digital platforms since Friday night, when he was seen discussing with the directors of 10 of the state's higher education institutions to address enhancing educational conditions.

Protester Apprehensions

An activist who joined Saturday's rallies expressed she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. She also denounced political figures who made quick statements to the crowds in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"For this purpose I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people involved in this 'development' are all dangerous," said the activist, who requested anonymity for concern for her well-being.

Gen Z Viewpoint

A participant of the youth movement, a leaderless collective of youth that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We feel pleased, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy figure to gain authority here, so we will take all measures to have the right to elect who to put up there," he said.