🔗 Share this article

A multitude of activists opposing the nation's leader were joined on the streets of the main city on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an elite army squadron, who previously that day declared they would not shoot at demonstrators.

Marching Alongside Armored Transports

Protesters marched together with troops from the Capsat division, who operated armored vehicles, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the supportive gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been denied entry to. Capsat troops propelled the present leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Tension on the Leader

The troops' involvement ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been calling for stand down. The student-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they quickly widened into appeals for a total overhaul of the governance structure, with the younger generation protesters not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his government last week.

Security Forces Actions

Earlier in the day, security forces deployed disorientation devices and teargas to try to disperse the demonstrators. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also called on military personnel to "keep peaceful", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our colleagues who are against us to emphasize discussion," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Madagascar's armed forces continues to be a peacemaker and represents the country's final safeguard."

Troop Resistance

However, a Capsat officer supported by a sizable contingent of soldiers called on other troop formations to "disobey commands to attack your allies", in a footage that was shared on online platforms before they left their barracks.

"We should unite, troops, paramilitary and law enforcement, and decline compensation to attack our friends, our comrades and our sisters," he stated, also urging troops at the aviation hub to "block all aircraft from leaving".

"Close the access points and wait for our directions," he said. "Do not obey directives from your superiors. Point your firearms at those who command you to attack your military brothers, because they will not support our loved ones if we are killed."

Leader's Silence

Nothing has been posted on the leader's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was photographed conferring with the heads of 10 of the country's colleges to talk about bettering students' lives.

Activist Concerns

An demonstrator who joined that day's protests expressed she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to authority. She also condemned politicians who made brief speeches to the crowds in front of the town hall as "opportunists".

"That's why I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals gravitating around this 'situation' are all concerning," stated the demonstrator, who requested anonymity for apprehension for her safety.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A member of the youth movement, a non-hierarchical organization of youth that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also expressed doubts about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another dishonest individual to take the power here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to elect who to place in power," he said.