A military contingent from a major base near the Malagasy capital called for disobedience in a video released Saturday, asking soldiers and security forces to "join forces" and "refuse orders to shoot" protesters.

The military contingent of CAPSAT (Army Corps of Personnel and Administrative and Technical Services) also called on police and gendarmes to join them, and asked the soldiers stationed in front of the presidential palaces to leave their positions and block the airport.

Several thousand people demonstrated against the government in the capital on Saturday, the largest demonstration in several days. Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters, who have been mobilizing in several cities across the country since September 25, an AFP team observed.

"Let us unite our forces, soldiers, gendarmes and police, and refuse to be paid to shoot our friends, our brothers and our sisters," said soldiers from the important military base in the Soanierana district, on the outskirts of Antananarivo, in this video.

In 2009, this base led a mutiny during the popular uprising that brought current President Andry Rajoelina to power.

"To all military personnel, those who are ready to take responsibility, immediately join CAPSAT (...) You, the military personnel at the presidential palaces of Iavoloha and Ambohitsorohitra, leave your posts and return to your original camps (...) You who are in Ivato, prevent all aircraft without distinction from taking off," the military added.

"Close the gates"

"Close the gates and wait for our instructions. Stop obeying orders from your superiors. Point your weapons at those who order you to shoot your brothers in arms because they are not the ones who will take care of our family if we die," they added.

The number of soldiers who responded to the call was not immediately known.

The new Minister of the Armed Forces, during a press conference on Saturday, called on the troops to remain calm. "We call on our brothers who do not agree with us to prioritize dialogue," declared General Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo.

"The Malagasy army remains a mediator and constitutes the nation's last line of defense," he added.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on the Malagasy authorities on Friday to "cease the use of unnecessary force" following demonstrations in Antananarivo that left many protesters injured.

At least 22 people were killed at the start of the protests that began on September 25 and more than a hundred injured, according to a report from the same High Commission four days later. The protest movement against water and electricity cuts has evolved into a challenge to the government, embodied by President Andry Raojelina, 51.

President Rajoelina denied "erroneous figures" on Wednesday, estimating the "loss of life" at twelve, all "looters and vandals," according to him.

After a conciliatory tone and the dismissal of the government, the president took a security turn by appointing a military man as Prime Minister as well as only three new ministers so far: those of the Armed Forces, Public Security and the Gendarmerie.

AFP