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A multitude of protesters against the nation's president were accompanied on the avenues of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an elite army unit, who that morning stated they would not open fire on activists.

Marching With Armored Cars

Protesters proceeded alongside troops from the Capsat division, who piloted military transports, some displaying the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive crowds in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been denied entry to. Capsat military personnel installed the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a takeover in 2009.

Increasing Strain on the Leader

The military's participation escalated tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been insisting on step aside. The youth-led demonstrations broke out on 25 September, initially over water and electricity cuts. However, they quickly widened into appeals for a total restructuring of the governance structure, with the youth activists not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Police Measures

Earlier in the day, police fired stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to disperse the activists. The newly named minister of the armed forces also urged troops to "stay composed", at a media briefing on Saturday.

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

Army Opposition

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a sizable contingent of military personnel appealed to other troop formations to "reject directives to shoot your friends", in a video that was shared on social media before they left their barracks.

"We should unite, military, paramilitary and law enforcement, and reject payment to shoot our friends, our comrades and our sisters," he declared, also appealing to soldiers at the airfield to "prevent all aircraft from leaving".

"Close the entrances and expect our orders," he stated. "Ignore commands from your officers. Aim your weapons at those who order you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our families if we are killed."

Head of State's Inactivity

Nothing has been shared on the head of state's digital platforms since Friday night, when he was seen conferring with the heads of 10 of the nation's universities to address enhancing students' lives.

Activist Apprehensions

An protester who joined the Saturday protests said she was concerned about the involvement of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 coup that installed Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced political figures who made short addresses to the masses in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'situation' are all concerning," commented the activist, who requested anonymity for fear for her security.

Youth Perspective

A participant of the youth movement, a non-hierarchical collective of youth that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we do not desire another corrupted person to assume control here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to install in leadership," he stated.