Troops from specialized Capsat unit participate in protests against Madagascar's leader

A multitude of demonstrators in opposition to the nation's head of state were accompanied on the avenues of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an elite army unit, who previously that day declared they would not fire on protesters.

Marching With Armored Cars

Activists walked together with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who operated armored cars, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had previously been prevented from reaching. Capsat troops installed the incumbent head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a takeover in 2009.

Escalating Pressure on the Leader

The soldiers' intervention ratcheted up strain on Rajoelina, who activists have been demanding resign. The young people-led protests erupted on 25 September, initially over utility shortages. However, they swiftly expanded into demands for a comprehensive overhaul of the government system, with the younger generation protesters not satisfied by Rajoelina dismissing his government last week.

Police Actions

That morning, law enforcement used stun grenades and riot control agents to try to disperse the protesters. The recently appointed military affairs minister also urged soldiers to "remain calm", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We call on our brothers who are against us to emphasize discussion," military minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army remains a peacemaker and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a sizable contingent of military personnel called on other army divisions to "refuse orders to attack your allies", in a recording that was published on online platforms before they left their barracks.

"We must combine efforts, military, gendarmes and officers, and decline compensation to shoot our allies, our comrades and our compatriots," he stated, also urging military personnel at the airfield to "block all flights from taking off".

"Close the access points and expect our instructions," he stated. "Ignore directives from your officers. Aim your weapons at those who order you to fire on your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our families if we perish."

Head of State's Inactivity

Nothing has been published on the leader's social media accounts since the evening of Friday, when he was seen meeting the leaders of 10 of the state's higher education institutions to address improving educational conditions.

Activist Apprehensions

An demonstrator who attended that day's demonstrations expressed she was apprehensive about the involvement of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 takeover that installed Rajoelina to authority. She also condemned government officials who made short statements to the crowds in front of the city hall as "self-serving individuals".

"For this purpose I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those figures gravitating around this 'development' are all concerning," said the protester, who declined to give her name for fear for her safety.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A representative of Gen Z Madagascar, a leaderless organization of youth that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We are delighted, but a lot is happening [and] we don't want another dishonest person to gain authority here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to choose who to install in leadership," he commented.