🔗 Share this article Military personnel from elite Capsat division join demonstrations against the nation's head of state Numerous protesters in opposition to the nation's president were supported on the roads of the capital on Saturday afternoon by military personnel from an premier army division, who that morning stated they would not shoot at activists. Proceeding With Military Cars Activists proceeded with military personnel from the Capsat division, who piloted military cars, some displaying Madagascar flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the south of Antananarivo. Appealing to the Masses A Capsat officer, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive gathering in front of the municipal building in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had before been denied entry to. Capsat troops propelled the incumbent president, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a takeover in 2009. Raising Pressure on the Head of State The troops' intervention ratcheted up pressure on Rajoelina, who protesters have been insisting on resign. The student-led protests erupted on 25 September, originally over water and electricity cuts. However, they swiftly widened into appeals for a complete reform of the political system, with the gen Z activists not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week. Security Forces Response Previously that day, police fired stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to disperse the protesters. The freshly assigned minister of the armed forces also called on military personnel to "remain calm", at a press conference on Saturday. "We call on our comrades who are against us to prioritise discussion," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo said. "The Malagasy army is still a peacemaker and constitutes the state's final safeguard." Troop Resistance However, a Capsat officer supported by a sizable contingent of troops urged other troop formations to "reject directives to fire upon your friends", in a video that was shared on online platforms before they departed from their barracks. "We should unite, army, paramilitary and officers, and reject payment to attack our allies, our comrades and our compatriots," he stated, also urging troops at the aviation hub to "prevent all flights from leaving". "Secure the access points and await our orders," he stated. "Do not obey directives from your commanders. Aim your weapons at those who command you to attack your military brothers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we die." Head of State's Silence No information has been shared on the leader's digital platforms since the evening of Friday, when he was seen discussing with the heads of 10 of the state's colleges to discuss improving educational conditions. Demonstrator Apprehensions An activist who joined the Saturday protests stated she was concerned about the participation of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 seizure of power that propelled Rajoelina to authority. She also criticised political figures who made brief addresses to the crowds in front of the city hall as "opportunists". "For this purpose I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those individuals involved in this 'development' are all risky," commented the activist, who requested anonymity for concern for her security. Young Generation Perspective A member of the youth movement, a decentralized collective of young people that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also voiced concerns about what would happen next. "We feel pleased, but many developments are occurring [and] we don't want another corrupted person to take the power here, so we will take all measures to have the opportunity to choose who to put up there," he commented.