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Thousands of protesters against Madagascar's president were joined on the roads of the capital on the afternoon of Saturday by military personnel from an elite army division, who earlier in the day declared they would not shoot at activists.

Marching With Military Transports

Demonstrators proceeded together with troops from the Capsat division, who drove armored transports, some waving Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then spoke to the cheering crowds in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers installed the incumbent head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a seizure of power in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the President

The military's participation increased tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding step aside. The student-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly broadened into appeals for a complete overhaul of the government system, with the youth protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina firing his government last week.

Security Forces Measures

Previously that day, law enforcement used stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to break up the demonstrators. The newly named military affairs minister also appealed to military personnel to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our colleagues who disagree with us to prioritise dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces continues to be a intermediary and represents the nation's last line of defence."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat leader accompanied by a significant number of troops called on other troop formations to "reject directives to fire upon your friends", in a video that was published on digital networks before they departed from their headquarters.

"We must combine efforts, military, paramilitary and police, and decline compensation to shoot our comrades, our colleagues and our compatriots," he declared, also urging troops at the aviation hub to "stop all aircraft from taking off".

"Shut the entrances and await our instructions," he stated. "Disregard commands from your officers. Point your arms at those who order you to attack your fellow soldiers, because they will not look after our relatives if we perish."

Head of State's Silence

Nothing has been posted on the president's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was photographed discussing with the directors of 10 of the country's higher education institutions to discuss bettering the student experience.

Protester Apprehensions

An protester who joined Saturday's rallies said she was apprehensive about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to power. She also criticised political figures who made short addresses to the gathering in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people circling this 'development' are all risky," stated the activist, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her security.

Youth Outlook

A participant of the young activists, a leaderless collective of young people that has supported the arrangement of the demonstrations, also expressed doubts about what would happen next. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we don't want another corrupted person to assume control here, so we will take all measures to have the privilege to select who to put up there," he said.