Troops from elite Capsat division participate in protests against the nation's leader

A multitude of protesters against Madagascar's leader were supported on the streets of the main city on Saturday by soldiers from an elite army division, who earlier in the day stated they would not fire on protesters.

Advancing Together with Heavy Cars

Demonstrators walked together with military personnel from the Capsat unit, who piloted military transports, some brandishing Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Crowds

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive masses in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat soldiers brought the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Strain on the Leader

The troops' intervention escalated tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been calling for resign. The youth-led protests broke out on 25 September, at first over utility shortages. However, they quickly expanded into appeals for a complete overhaul of the government system, with the gen Z activists not satisfied by Rajoelina removing his cabinet last week.

Security Forces Actions

Earlier in the day, security forces fired stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the protesters. The freshly assigned defense minister also urged soldiers to "stay composed", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We appeal to our brothers who oppose us to emphasize communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "Our nation's military continues to be a intermediary and constitutes the nation's last line of defence."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a sizable contingent of military personnel urged other army divisions to "refuse orders to fire upon your comrades", in a video that was shared on digital networks before they departed from their base.

"We must combine efforts, military, gendarmes and police, and decline compensation to shoot our comrades, our colleagues and our compatriots," he stated, also calling on military personnel at the airfield to "prevent all flights from departing".

"Close the gates and expect our directions," he declared. "Disregard commands from your commanders. Aim your firearms at those who command you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our families if we perish."

President's Lack of Response

No updates has been shared on the head of state's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was photographed discussing with the heads of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to discuss bettering educational conditions.

Demonstrator Worries

An activist who participated in Saturday's rallies expressed she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised political figures who made short addresses to the crowds in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people involved in this 'event' are all dangerous," said the demonstrator, who declined to give her name for fear for her security.

Youth Outlook

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized organization of youth that has assisted in organizing the protests, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the right to elect who to install in leadership," he said.