CAIRO — Egyptian opposition groups  announced Feb. 11 during a press conference held in Istanbul the formation of a unified political front for coordination between opposition forces abroad to work toward change in Egypt and to topple President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s regime.

The timing of the launch may be sparked by hopes that the Biden administraton will emphasize human rights in its dealings with Egypt, and put more pressure on Sisi to accommodate political dissent.

The front, named the Union of Egyptian National Forces, announced the formation of a presidential council, a council of elders and a higher committee comprising 100 members, including Egyptian prominent figures, national forces, political parties and independent figures based abroad mainly in Europe, the United States, Turkey, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia and South Korea, as well as several Arab countries. Membership is open to any Egyptian who wants to join the union.

While the group includes some familiar names, its ability to influence change in both Cairo and Washington is likely limited. On Feb. 16, the Biden administration approved a $197 million sale of 168 tactical missiles to bolster Egypt’s coastal and Suez Canal defenses last week. While concerns remain over crackdown on political dissent, Sisi's hold on power in Cairo seems as strong as ever, and the country's economy is weathering the coronavirus pandemic better than most in the region.