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Thousands of demonstrators opposing the nation's leader were supported on the roads of the capital on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an premier army squadron, who previously that day said they would not fire on demonstrators.

Marching With Heavy Vehicles

Demonstrators walked alongside soldiers from the Capsat squadron, who operated heavy vehicles, some waving the country's banners, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Addressing the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the supportive masses in front of the town hall in 13 May Square, which demonstrators had earlier been blocked from accessing. Capsat military personnel propelled the incumbent leader, Andry Rajoelina, to leadership in a seizure of power in 2009.

Increasing Pressure on the President

The soldiers' intervention increased tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding step aside. The youth-led protests erupted on 25 September, initially over utility shortages. However, they swiftly widened into demands for a comprehensive overhaul of the governance structure, with the younger generation activists not appeased by Rajoelina dismissing his cabinet last week.

Security Forces Measures

Earlier in the day, police fired stun grenades and riot control agents to try to disperse the activists. The recently appointed defense minister also urged soldiers to "keep peaceful", at a news conference on Saturday.

"We urge our colleagues who disagree with us to emphasize dialogue," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo stated. "The Malagasy army is still a intermediary and forms the state's final safeguard."

Army Resistance

However, a Capsat commander accompanied by a significant number of military personnel urged other military units to "reject directives to fire upon your comrades", in a footage that was posted on social media before they exited their headquarters.

"We should unite, military, paramilitary and law enforcement, and decline compensation to fire upon our comrades, our colleagues and our sisters," he declared, also appealing to troops at the airfield to "prevent all planes from leaving".

"Close the gates and await our orders," he stated. "Do not obey directives from your commanders. Aim your weapons at those who order you to fire on your military brothers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we perish."

Head of State's Lack of Response

No updates has been published on the president's social media accounts since Friday night, when he was photographed conferring with the heads of 10 of the nation's universities to discuss bettering educational conditions.

Protester Apprehensions

An activist who participated in that day's protests stated she was worried about the role of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 seizure of power that brought Rajoelina to power. She also denounced politicians who made brief statements to the gathering in front of the municipal building as "those seeking advantage".

"This is the reason I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those people involved in this 'event' are all concerning," commented the activist, who requested anonymity for apprehension for her safety.

Gen Z Outlook

A representative of the youth movement, a decentralized organization of youth that has supported the arrangement of the rallies, also voiced concerns about what would transpire in the future. "We are very happy, but many developments are occurring [and] we do not desire another dishonest figure to gain authority here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to select who to put up there," he stated.