Troops from specialized Capsat squadron participate in rallies against the nation's head of state

Numerous activists against Madagascar's leader were accompanied on the roads of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by soldiers from an specialized army unit, who previously that day said they would not fire on demonstrators.

Proceeding With Heavy Vehicles

Protesters marched with soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who drove armored vehicles, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic gathering in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers installed the present president, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a coup in 2009.

Increasing Strain on the President

The troops' intervention ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for step aside. The student-led protests erupted on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they quickly expanded into appeals for a complete overhaul of the political system, with the youth protesters not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Security Forces Actions

That morning, security forces fired stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to disperse the demonstrators. The newly named military affairs minister also called on military personnel to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our comrades who disagree with us to prioritise communication," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army remains a intermediary and represents the country's last line of defence."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat officer joined by a significant number of soldiers appealed to other military units to "disobey commands to shoot your comrades", in a video that was posted on digital networks before they left their headquarters.

"We should unite, army, gendarmes and law enforcement, and decline compensation to shoot our allies, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he stated, also calling on military personnel at the aviation hub to "block all flights from leaving".

"Secure the access points and wait for our orders," he stated. "Disregard commands from your officers. Aim your arms at those who command you to attack your military brothers, because they will not look after our relatives if we perish."

President's Inactivity

No information has been shared on the leader's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed discussing with the heads of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to address improving students' lives.

Demonstrator Apprehensions

An demonstrator who attended the Saturday demonstrations expressed she was worried about the involvement of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned government officials who made brief speeches to the masses in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals gravitating around this 'event' are all concerning," commented the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for apprehension for her security.

Young Generation Outlook

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical collective of young people that has supported the arrangement of the demonstrations, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are delighted, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another corrupted individual to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the privilege to elect who to install in leadership," he commented.