Troops from premier Capsat division participate in rallies against Madagascar's leader

Numerous protesters in opposition to the nation's head of state were joined on the avenues of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an elite army unit, who earlier in the day said they would not fire on protesters.

Advancing Alongside Military Vehicles

Protesters walked with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who piloted military cars, some displaying the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which activists had previously been denied entry to. Capsat troops propelled the current president, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a seizure of power in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the Leader

The soldiers' involvement escalated tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been calling for resign. The student-led rallies broke out on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they rapidly widened into calls for a complete overhaul of the government system, with the youth activists not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his government last week.

Security Forces Measures

Earlier in the day, police deployed stun grenades and riot control agents to try to disperse the demonstrators. The newly named military affairs minister also appealed to troops to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We urge our colleagues who disagree with us to emphasize communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military continues to be a intermediary and represents the country's last line of defence."

Military Defiance

However, a Capsat leader joined by a large group of military personnel appealed to other army divisions to "reject directives to fire upon your friends", in a video that was published on social media before they exited their headquarters.

"We should unite, military, gendarmes and officers, and reject payment to attack our comrades, our brothers and our sisters," he declared, also calling on troops at the airfield to "block all planes from leaving".

"Close the entrances and expect our instructions," he declared. "Disregard directives from your superiors. Direct your arms at those who order you to fire on your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our loved ones if we are killed."

Leader's Inactivity

No information has been published on the head of state's online profiles since Friday night, when he was seen discussing with the leaders of 10 of the state's colleges to address improving educational conditions.

Activist Concerns

An protester who participated in Saturday's demonstrations stated she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned politicians who made quick addresses to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "opportunists".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those figures circling this 'development' are all risky," said the protester, who didn't want to be named for concern for her security.

Youth Viewpoint

A representative of the young activists, a decentralized group of young people that has assisted in organizing the protests, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy figure to take the power here, so we will do everything to have the right to choose who to install in leadership," he said.