Military personnel from specialized Capsat division participate in protests against the nation's leader

Thousands of protesters in opposition to Madagascar's leader were joined on the avenues of the capital on Saturday by troops from an elite army unit, who that morning declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Advancing Alongside Armored Vehicles

Protesters walked together with military personnel from the Capsat division, who operated military cars, some brandishing Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the supportive gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel installed the incumbent head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Head of State

The troops' intervention increased strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on resign. The young people-led demonstrations broke out on 25 September, at first over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly broadened into appeals for a complete restructuring of the governance structure, with the youth demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his government last week.

Security Forces Actions

Previously that day, security forces deployed disorientation devices and riot control agents to try to break up the demonstrators. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also called on soldiers to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our brothers who oppose us to emphasize dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a intermediary and represents the country's final safeguard."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander supported by a significant number of troops appealed to other troop formations to "refuse orders to fire upon your friends", in a video that was published on social media before they exited their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, army, gendarmes and law enforcement, and reject payment to shoot our allies, our colleagues and our compatriots," he said, also appealing to soldiers at the airfield to "stop all aircraft from departing".

"Secure the entrances and wait for our directions," he declared. "Ignore orders from your superiors. Direct your weapons at those who order you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our relatives if we perish."

President's Inactivity

No information has been published on the head of state's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was pictured discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's colleges to address enhancing the student experience.

Demonstrator Worries

An activist who attended Saturday's protests expressed she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced government officials who made short statements to the crowds in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"That's why I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those individuals gravitating around this 'development' are all dangerous," commented the demonstrator, who declined to give her name for fear for her safety.

Young Generation Outlook

A participant of the young activists, a leaderless organization of students that has assisted in organizing the protests, also expressed doubts about what would transpire in the future. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy individual to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the opportunity to choose who to install in leadership," he said.