đŸ”— Share this article Military personnel from premier Capsat division join demonstrations against Madagascar's head of state A multitude of demonstrators in opposition to Madagascar's leader were joined on the avenues of the main city on Saturday by soldiers from an elite army unit, who previously that day stated they would not fire on demonstrators. Proceeding Together with Armored Vehicles Activists walked with troops from the Capsat squadron, who drove armored transports, some waving the country's banners, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo. Addressing the Crowds A Capsat commander, Lylison RenĂ© de Rolland, then addressed the supportive masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had earlier been prevented from reaching. Capsat troops brought the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a seizure of power in 2009. Increasing Pressure on the Leader The soldiers' intervention ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who activists have been insisting on step aside. The student-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, initially over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly widened into demands for a comprehensive overhaul of the governance structure, with the gen Z activists not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his government last week. Security Forces Actions Previously that day, police deployed disorientation devices and teargas to try to break up the protesters. The freshly assigned military affairs minister also appealed to troops to "remain calm", at a press conference on Saturday. "We urge our brothers who oppose us to prioritise dialogue," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Madagascar's armed forces remains a intermediary and constitutes the country's final safeguard." Troop Resistance However, a Capsat leader supported by a large group of military personnel urged other military units to "disobey commands to fire upon your allies", in a video that was published on online platforms before they exited their barracks. "We must combine efforts, army, paramilitary and officers, and decline compensation to attack our friends, our brothers and our sisters," he declared, also appealing to military personnel at the airfield to "stop all planes from departing". "Secure the gates and wait for our directions," he declared. "Disregard commands from your commanders. Aim your weapons at those who command you to fire on your fellow soldiers, because they will not support our relatives if we are killed." Head of State's Inactivity No updates has been published on the president's digital platforms since Friday evening, when he was photographed conferring with the directors of 10 of the country's universities to address improving the student experience. Protester Worries An protester who joined Saturday's rallies said she was apprehensive about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also condemned government officials who made brief statements to the crowds in front of the city hall as "opportunists". "This is the reason I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those figures gravitating around this 'development' are all concerning," stated the demonstrator, who didn't want to be named for apprehension for her well-being. Gen Z Viewpoint A member of the youth movement, a decentralized collective of young people that has helped to coordinate the demonstrations, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but significant events are unfolding [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy figure to assume control here, so we will employ all means to have the right to elect who to install in leadership," he stated.