Egypt is living in a state of anticipation these days, waiting for a decision from the regime: Will Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi run for president as a representative of the military institution, putting the military and the army at the forefront of the political scene and on the frontline of confrontations? Or will the authorities preserve the military institution and choose for Sisi to remain as defense minister?

I would like to express an opinion here that I would argue many civilian revolutionary and youth forces and their supporters share with me, even if they cannot express it in light of the one-sided nature of the media today.

To begin with, I would d like to stress to the regime and everyone, that we, as youth members of civil revolutionary movements and post-revolution parties, know well that there is no link between Sisi — or any other civilian figure — being president and the way the regime treats us, whether through accommodation or repression. We are not oblivious or under the illusion that a civilian president will have any real impact on the authorities and the means of political repression — whether through the security institutions or the prosecution and the judiciary. Therefore, our advice that Sisi not run for president does not stem from a fear that the regime will oppress us if he becomes president. The regime can choose whether or not to use oppression regardless of whether or not Sisi is president. Rather, our advice stems from our fears for the military establishment, for Egypt and for the democratic path, which is the only secure path for Egypt. 

It is no secret that if the president comes from the military, this will place responsibilities on the army that are outside of its jurisdiction. It will also distract the military's focus from its primary responsibilities and even put it in direct confrontation with citizens and all of their demands, whether factional or general. Moreover, in the event of a worsening economic situation, the burden of making many difficult and painful decisions — such as removing subsidies and taking austerity measures — will fall on the president from the military institution. Many predict that this will lead to protests that the only way for the regime to deal with them is through an attempt at oppression, because they do not have much to offer right now.