I've always thought otherwise, like don't you think only Satoshi can solve the current debates about BTCBTCBTC's own future? Obviously the person would have the biggest weight on the issues
It may backfire heavily. Let's assume that he makes a public appearance, proves that he is a genuine Satoshi Nakamoto (i.e. does whatever that might require), and then proclaims openly his support for, say, Bitcoin Unlimited. Does it mean that the latter will necessarily succeed? I guess, no. And when this fork eventually fails (which I'm sure it will), Satoshi will certainly feel humiliated. As to me, he made a wise decision to disappear so as to allow his creation (i.e. Bitcoin) to evolve on its own
That can be the big reason why the name we call as Satoshi Nakamoto until now is not a part of the current and raging debate in the Bitcoin community. When he left Bitcoin, he left for good. Surfacing now can mean interference in the ongoing evolution of Bitcoin because whatever he says can have an impact on decision-making of many stakeholders.