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A multitude of demonstrators against the nation's president were accompanied on the avenues of the capital city on Saturday afternoon by soldiers from an specialized army unit, who earlier in the day declared they would not shoot at activists.

Advancing With Heavy Vehicles

Demonstrators walked together with soldiers from the Capsat unit, who piloted military transports, some brandishing national flags, from their barracks in Soanierana in the southern part of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Gathering

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then addressed the enthusiastic crowds in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which protesters had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat troops propelled the present president, Andry Rajoelina, to power in a takeover in 2009.

Raising Strain on the President

The military's involvement increased strain on Rajoelina, who protesters have been calling for step aside. The student-led protests erupted on 25 September, originally over utility shortages. However, they rapidly widened into demands for a comprehensive restructuring of the government system, with the youth activists not appeased by Rajoelina removing his government last week.

Security Forces Actions

That morning, security forces fired stun grenades and chemical irritants to try to scatter the demonstrators. The freshly assigned defense minister also appealed to soldiers to "stay composed", at a press conference on Saturday.

"We appeal to our comrades who disagree with us to emphasize discussion," general minister Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "Our nation's military continues to be a mediator and constitutes the country's final safeguard."

Army Defiance

However, a Capsat leader accompanied by a large group of troops called on other troop formations to "disobey commands to shoot your allies", in a recording that was posted on digital networks before they left their headquarters.

"Let us join forces, troops, security forces and police, and decline compensation to fire upon our allies, our brothers and our sisters," he said, also calling on soldiers at the aviation hub to "prevent all flights from departing".

"Secure the access points and await our orders," he declared. "Disregard commands from your superiors. Point your firearms at those who command you to fire on your military brothers, because they will not take care of our relatives if we die."

Leader's Lack of Response

Nothing has been posted on the president's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was seen conferring with the directors of 10 of the nation's universities to address improving students' lives.

Demonstrator Apprehensions

An protester who joined Saturday's demonstrations stated she was worried about the participation of Capsat, due to their role in the 2009 takeover that propelled Rajoelina to leadership. She also condemned politicians who made quick statements to the masses in front of the municipal building as "self-serving individuals".

"For this purpose I'm not rejoicing at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'situation' are all dangerous," said the protester, who declined to give her name for fear for her safety.

Youth Viewpoint

A representative of the youth movement, a non-hierarchical group of students that has supported the arrangement of the protests, also raised questions about what would happen next. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we wish to avoid another dishonest figure to assume control here, so we will do everything to have the privilege to choose who to install in leadership," he said.