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A multitude of activists in opposition to the nation's leader were accompanied on the avenues of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an elite army division, who that morning declared they would not shoot at activists.

Marching With Armored Cars

Activists marched with troops from the Capsat division, who drove heavy transports, some brandishing Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the cheering crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel installed the current head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the Leader

The military's intervention ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding stand down. The youth-led rallies commenced on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly expanded into demands for a complete restructuring of the political system, with the gen Z activists not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his government last week.

Police Measures

Earlier in the day, police used flashbangs and riot control agents to try to scatter the activists. The newly named minister of the armed forces also appealed to troops to "remain calm", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We urge our colleagues who are against us to focus on discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military is still a intermediary and constitutes the country's last line of defence."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a significant number of soldiers called on other troop formations to "reject directives to shoot your friends", in a recording that was shared on online platforms before they left their barracks.

"Let us join forces, military, paramilitary and law enforcement, and reject payment to fire upon our comrades, our colleagues and our fellow citizens," he declared, also appealing to troops at the aviation hub to "stop all flights from taking off".

"Shut the access points and expect our directions," he stated. "Disregard commands from your officers. Point your firearms at those who instruct you to shoot at your military brothers, because they will not support our loved ones if we perish."

President's Silence

Nothing has been posted on the president's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was seen discussing with the heads of 10 of the nation's colleges to talk about improving educational conditions.

Activist Worries

An protester who joined the Saturday rallies expressed she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also denounced politicians who made short speeches to the masses in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people involved in this 'event' are all dangerous," said the protester, who requested anonymity for concern for her safety.

Young Generation Outlook

A participant of the young activists, a non-hierarchical group of youth that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also voiced concerns about what would occur subsequently. "We are delighted, but many developments are occurring [and] we do not desire another corrupted person to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to choose who to install in leadership," he commented.