
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – In a significant escalation of the ongoing political crisis, groups of Malagasy soldiers have publicly sided with anti-government protesters, joining thousands in the capital and declaring they will refuse orders to use lethal force against civilians.
The dramatic development unfolded earlier today in Antananarivo, where fresh, youth-led demonstrations drew one of the largest crowds since the protest movement began on the Indian Ocean island on September 25.
The protest’s dynamic shifted when soldiers from a base in the Soanierana district appeared alongside the demonstrators. Their alignment with the people was announced in a video circulated on social media, where they issued a powerful call for solidarity among the nation’s security forces.
“Let us join forces, military, gendarmes and police, and refuse to be paid to shoot our friends, our brothers and our sisters,” the soldiers stated in the video.
Their refusal to follow potential orders to shoot protesters marks a pivotal moment in the weeks-long unrest. The sight of uniformed soldiers merging with the demonstrators signals a potential rupture in the state’s authority and adds immense pressure on the government.
The protests, which have been growing in size and intensity, underscore deep-seated public discontent. The joining of ranks by members of the military introduces a new and unpredictable element to the political situation in Madagascar, raising the stakes for all parties involved.