Military personnel from premier Capsat squadron align with rallies against Madagascar's head of state

Numerous activists in opposition to the nation's head of state were supported on the streets of the capital on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an elite army squadron, who that morning declared they would not shoot at activists.

Advancing Together with Heavy Transports

Protesters marched together with troops from the Capsat squadron, who drove armored transports, some brandishing the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive masses in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had previously been prevented from reaching. Capsat troops brought the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Pressure on the Leader

The troops' intervention increased tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding resign. The young people-led rallies erupted on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they swiftly widened into demands for a comprehensive restructuring of the political system, with the youth protesters not placated by Rajoelina dismissing his administration last week.

Security Forces Actions

Previously that day, police fired stun grenades and teargas to try to scatter the activists. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also appealed to troops to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We call on our comrades who are against us to emphasize discussion," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army continues to be a intermediary and represents the nation's last line of defence."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a large group of soldiers urged other army divisions to "disobey commands to fire upon your comrades", in a recording that was published on digital networks before they exited their base.

"Let us join forces, army, security forces and police, and decline compensation to attack our allies, our comrades and our sisters," he declared, also appealing to military personnel at the aviation hub to "stop all flights from leaving".

"Secure the entrances and wait for our directions," he declared. "Ignore directives from your superiors. Point your arms at those who order you to attack your military brothers, because they will not support our relatives if we perish."

Leader's Inactivity

No updates has been shared on the leader's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was seen meeting the heads of 10 of the nation's universities to discuss bettering students' lives.

Protester Concerns

An protester who participated in the Saturday demonstrations expressed she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also condemned politicians who made brief statements to the gathering in front of the city hall as "those seeking advantage".

"That's why I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'event' are all dangerous," commented the activist, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her safety.

Gen Z Perspective

A member of the youth movement, a leaderless collective of young people that has assisted in organizing the demonstrations, also voiced concerns about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but many developments are occurring [and] we do not desire another corrupted figure to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to choose who to place in power," he said.