🔗 Share this article Soldiers from elite Capsat squadron align with rallies against the nation's leader Thousands of protesters opposing Madagascar's head of state were joined on the roads of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an specialized army squadron, who previously that day stated they would not shoot at activists. Advancing Alongside Heavy Vehicles Protesters marched together with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who operated heavy cars, some brandishing the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo. Speaking to the Masses A Capsat officer, 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 soldiers installed the present president, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a takeover in 2009. Escalating Tension on the Head of State The military's involvement ratcheted up tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding step aside. The student-led protests erupted on 25 September, initially over service disruptions. However, they quickly expanded into appeals for a comprehensive restructuring of the governance structure, with the gen Z activists not satisfied by Rajoelina removing his cabinet last week. Police Measures That morning, police deployed flashbangs and teargas to try to scatter the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also called on military personnel to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday. "We call on our colleagues who oppose us to focus on communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army remains a intermediary and forms the state's ultimate protection." Military Defiance However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a sizable contingent of soldiers urged other troop formations to "refuse orders to fire upon your comrades", in a footage that was published on online platforms before they departed from their barracks. "Let us join forces, troops, gendarmes and officers, and reject payment to fire upon our comrades, our comrades and our sisters," he stated, also appealing to military personnel at the aviation hub to "stop all flights from taking off". "Shut the access points and await our orders," he said. "Ignore orders from your superiors. Aim your arms at those who command you to shoot at your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our relatives if we perish." Head of State's Silence Nothing has been shared on the president's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed conferring with the leaders of 10 of the state's colleges to discuss improving the student experience. Activist Concerns An demonstrator who participated in the Saturday demonstrations said she was worried about the participation of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 seizure of power that installed Rajoelina to leadership. She also criticised government officials who made brief speeches to the gathering in front of the town hall as "self-serving individuals". "This is the reason I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those individuals involved in this 'situation' are all concerning," said the protester, who declined to give her name for fear for her safety. Young Generation Viewpoint A participant of the youth movement, a non-hierarchical group of students that has helped to coordinate the rallies, also expressed doubts about what would occur subsequently. "We feel pleased, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another untrustworthy individual to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to select who to place in power," he commented.