Military personnel from premier Capsat division align with protests against Madagascar's leader

A multitude of demonstrators in opposition to Madagascar's head of state were accompanied on the roads of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an specialized army division, who that morning said they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Proceeding Alongside Military Vehicles

Activists proceeded together with troops from the Capsat squadron, who piloted heavy vehicles, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops propelled the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a takeover in 2009.

Escalating Tension on the Head of State

The soldiers' intervention escalated pressure on Rajoelina, who protesters have been demanding stand down. The student-led protests broke out on 25 September, initially over service disruptions. However, they rapidly expanded into appeals for a total overhaul of the governance structure, with the gen Z activists not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Security Forces Response

Earlier in the day, law enforcement used disorientation devices and teargas to try to break up the demonstrators. The freshly assigned minister of the armed forces also called on soldiers to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who oppose us to prioritise communication," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a intermediary and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat leader joined by a sizable contingent of soldiers called on other troop formations to "reject directives to fire upon your allies", in a video that was shared on online platforms before they exited their base.

"We should unite, troops, gendarmes and officers, and refuse to be paid to fire upon our allies, our colleagues and our compatriots," he declared, also urging soldiers at the aviation hub to "prevent all aircraft from departing".

"Close the access points and wait for our directions," he said. "Ignore commands from your superiors. Point your weapons at those who command you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our relatives if we perish."

President's Lack of Response

Nothing has been posted on the leader's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was pictured discussing with the leaders of 10 of the country's universities to address improving the student experience.

Demonstrator Concerns

An demonstrator who joined the Saturday demonstrations said she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned political figures who made short speeches to the masses in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those figures gravitating around this 'event' are all dangerous," commented the demonstrator, who requested anonymity for apprehension for her safety.

Youth Viewpoint

A representative of the youth movement, a leaderless group of students that has helped to coordinate the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but many developments are occurring [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the right to elect who to install in leadership," he commented.