• Madagascar soldiers joined thousands in protests against President Rajoelina.
• Troops urged fellow soldiers to disobey orders against demonstrators.
• Protests began over basic services and escalated to calls for Rajoelina's resignation.
• At least 22 people have reportedly died during the unrest, leading to international concern.
• The situation presents one of the greatest challenges to Rajoelina's regime since his election.

On October 11, in a pivotal development during ongoing protests in Madagascar, groups of soldiers joined thousands of demonstrators in the capital, Antananarivo, expressing solidarity with youth-led movements that surfaced on September 25 over issues such as water and electricity shortages. The soldiers, particularly from the elite CAPSAT unit, called for their peers to defy orders to disperse the crowds and urged unity among military members and protesters alike. They encouraged fellow troops to "refuse to be paid to shoot our friends" as tensions escalated, according to Le Monde and Reuters.

The protests, inspired by movements seen in other nations, managed to gather unprecedented numbers, with demonstrators entering the historically significant May 13 Square for the first time under military escort. Soldiers from an army unit previously instrumental in President Rajoelina’s rise to power expressed solidarity with the protesters, demanding the president step down and dissolve the current government. "Let us join forces," a soldier asserted in a video message, reinforcing their commitment to non-violence, according to Al Jazeera and Africa News.

As the demonstrations persisted, President Rajoelina’s administration characterized the military's intervention as an affront to the state, framing the public outcry as a potential coup attempt. He referred to the protests as challenges from "looters and vandals" while actively dismissing reports of fatalities, stating there were only "12 confirmed deaths" among the protesters. The United Nations reported at least 22 fatalities and over 100 injuries due to clashes with security forces, raising serious concerns over the use of excessive force against civilians, as noted by Le Monde and Reuters.

The increasing scale of unrest represents one of the most formidable challenges to Rajoelina's leadership since he assumed office. Observers point to the enduring legacy of civil resistance in Madagascar, linking current frustrations with past uprisings against political oppression and poverty, according to Al Jazeera and Africa News.