Political and national figures in Sudan launched a “peace and reform” initiative for promoting dialogue to forge a transitional government that will serve for the coming four years. Fifty-two academics, politicians and former public officials have joined together under the leadership of Al-Jazuli Dafallah, who served as prime minister in 1985, in leading the initiative for national dialogue meant to push back against “stifling political stalemate and a dead-end future forced upon the people by authorities turning their back on reform,” according to the ex-premiere. Sudanese attorney Nabil Ahmad, a member of the group mobilizing for change, said that the initiative at its core is fighting for a credible and qualified government. He also said it backs a shift closer to a true representative democracy. Samya Al Hashimi, another member promoting the initiative, said invitation calls were made to political and civil movements, such as Sudan’s National Congress, Nidaa Sudan Coalition, the National Consensus Forces, National Umma Party and National Initiative for Change. The initiative organizers have also reached out to a number of armed groups, Hashimi added while noting that many voiced a positive stance on advancing national dialogue. Meanwhile, protests are set for Sudan’s second-largest city Omdurman. The rallies will march under the slogans “a convoy of detainees” and a “women in jail” in protest over a large number of female demonstrators being detained in the security crackdown on dissent. The crackdown on protestors by security forces has alarmed many human rights activists worldwide. Authorities released a number of journalists that were arrested for covering marches across the African state after President Omar al-Bashir ordered their release.