Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has announced that he will return to Senegal on Friday, July 17, as part of consultations linked to his candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.

In a statement, Sall said he would meet with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye during the visit and thanked the Senegalese leader for agreeing to the meeting.

He also expressed gratitude to the country’s religious and traditional leaders for their prayers and goodwill, as well as to the Senegalese people for the support they have shown since the announcement of his UN bid.

Sall, however, said he would not remain in Dakar to greet supporters or hold meetings with activists because of a demanding international schedule.

He said he would leave the country immediately after his meeting with President Faye, adding that he hoped to return to Dakar at a later date to meet supporters in person and thank them for their encouragement.

The visit comes as Sall continues international consultations in support of his campaign to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.