🔗 Share this article

A multitude of protesters opposing Madagascar's leader were joined on the roads of the capital city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an specialized army division, who that morning declared they would not fire on demonstrators.

Advancing With Armored Vehicles

Demonstrators marched alongside troops from the Capsat squadron, who operated heavy cars, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Speaking to the Masses

A Capsat commander, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which protesters had previously been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel propelled the incumbent head of state, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Strain on the Head of State

The soldiers' intervention escalated tension on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for step aside. The youth-led demonstrations commenced on 25 September, at first over water and electricity cuts. However, they rapidly expanded into appeals for a comprehensive overhaul of the government system, with the younger generation activists not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Security Forces Actions

Previously that day, police used flashbangs and riot control agents to try to scatter the demonstrators. The recently appointed minister of the armed forces also urged military personnel to "stay composed", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our brothers who are against us to focus on communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "Our nation's military remains a peacemaker and forms the nation's final safeguard."

Military Opposition

However, a Capsat leader supported by a sizable contingent of soldiers urged other military units to "disobey commands to attack your comrades", in a recording that was posted on social media before they exited their base.

"We must combine efforts, military, security forces and officers, and refuse to be paid to attack our comrades, our brothers and our fellow citizens," he stated, also calling on soldiers at the airport to "stop all flights from leaving".

"Secure the gates and wait for our orders," he declared. "Disregard commands from your commanders. Point your firearms at those who instruct you to attack your comrades-in-arms, because they will not look after our relatives if we are killed."

Leader's Silence

No information has been shared on the president's digital platforms since the evening of Friday, when he was photographed discussing with the heads of 10 of the nation's higher education institutions to talk about improving the student experience.

Protester Concerns

An demonstrator who joined Saturday's rallies said she was concerned about the role of Capsat, due to their involvement in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. She also condemned politicians who made short addresses to the gathering in front of the town hall as "those seeking advantage".

"For this purpose I'm not feeling joyful at all, because all of those people gravitating around this 'development' are all concerning," commented the demonstrator, who requested anonymity for fear for her security.

Young Generation Viewpoint

A member of Gen Z Madagascar, a non-hierarchical collective of students that has assisted in organizing the protests, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, 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 right to select who to install in leadership," he said.