Troops from elite Capsat division participate in protests against Madagascar's president

A multitude of activists opposing Madagascar's president were joined on the streets of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army squadron, who earlier in the day declared they would not shoot at protesters.

Marching With Military Vehicles

Protesters proceeded alongside troops from the Capsat squadron, who drove military vehicles, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Gathering

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic crowds in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had previously been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops brought the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Tension on the Leader

The soldiers' intervention escalated strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been insisting on step aside. The youth-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, at first over service disruptions. However, they swiftly broadened into appeals for a comprehensive reform of the governance structure, with the gen Z activists not appeased by Rajoelina firing his administration last week.

Security Forces Actions

Previously that day, police fired flashbangs and chemical irritants to try to break up the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also appealed to military personnel to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We call on our colleagues who disagree with us to prioritise dialogue," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Madagascar's armed forces is still a peacemaker and represents the state's ultimate protection."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat leader joined by a sizable contingent of military personnel urged other military units to "refuse orders to fire upon your comrades", in a footage that was shared on social media before they departed from their base.

"We should unite, troops, paramilitary and officers, and decline compensation to shoot our friends, our brothers and our sisters," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the airport to "block all planes from taking off".

"Close the entrances and wait for our instructions," he said. "Ignore commands from your superiors. Point your firearms at those who instruct you to attack your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our loved ones if we die."

Head of State's Silence

No information has been shared on the president's social media accounts since Friday evening, when he was photographed discussing with the heads of 10 of the country's colleges to talk about enhancing the student experience.

Activist Worries

An protester who participated in the Saturday protests stated she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that propelled Rajoelina to power. She also condemned politicians who made short speeches to the masses in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those individuals gravitating around this 'development' are all dangerous," said the protester, who declined to give her name for apprehension for her security.

Young Generation Outlook

A participant of the young activists, a non-hierarchical organization of students that has supported the arrangement of the rallies, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but many developments are occurring [and] we don't want another untrustworthy person to gain authority here, so we will employ all means to have the opportunity to choose who to install in leadership," he stated.