Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has thanked President Bassirou Diomaye Faye after the Senegalese government officially endorsed his candidacy for the post of United Nations Secretary-General.

In a statement issued on Monday, Sall described the endorsement as “an honour” and warmly thanked President Faye for the government’s backing.

“If elected Secretary-General of the United Nations, I will carry out this noble mission with commitment and dedication in the service of peace, dialogue and cooperation among nations,” Sall said.

The endorsement marks Senegal’s formal support for its former head of state to succeed the current UN Secretary-General when the position becomes vacant.