2025 presidentials: UMS to choose flag-bearer at May 31 Congress in Yaounde.

The party’s National Organisation Secretary, Michel Siadjeu, made the announcement during a press briefing organised in Yaounde, in prelude to the congress. 

Siadjeu told pressmen at the presser that the announced exercise falls in line with the party’s statutes and regulations as an institution that has been a fully democratic and strong player in the political landscape in Cameroon, since its creation 14 years ago.   

He said it will bring together some 3,000 UMS delegates from across the 10 Regions of the country. He noted that the delegates will elect the party’s presidential candidate during the exercise. 

Level ground for all aspirants

According to Siadjeu, the congress will further highlight UMS party’s status as a strong political institution that is committed to democratic values and ready to consolidate its position as a strong political force that believes in diligently serving Cameroonians.

He said UMS party, led by its National President, Hon Kwemo, who also doubles as Member of Parliament, MP, will provide a level playing ground for all aspirants during the much-anticipated Saturday congress in respect of the enriching party principles and regulations. 

“Candidacy for the flag-bearer position is open to everyone within the party. There is no mysticism in it. The election will be democratic. It will be public,” Siadjeu stated. 

He said to ensure full respect of the party’s principles, aspirants will be required to fulfill requirements like a membership card among other demands which, he said, can be easily met by all qualified aspirants.

“The candidates just need to be a UMS militant that is governed by a certain number of conditions. That is, he or she should have his or her admission card, contribution card and his or her bank card,” Siadjeu added. 

UMS bracing to further impose self as political giant 

During yesterday’s presser, the UMS National Organisation Secretary also told pressmen that Saturday’s congress will mark the start of a new promising chapter for the UMS party, kickstarting its ambitious race to holding the biggest office in Cameroon after imposing itself at the municipal and legislative levels over the years.

The UMS party was created in 2011 by Hon Kwemo. It has since its creation, gained grounds as one of the fastest-rising political institutions in Cameroon, notably rising to presently boast of two Members of Parliament in the National Assembly, both from the Upper Nkam Division of the West Region. 

The institution has also been controlling the Bafang council in the Upper Nkam Division since 2013 when its National President, Hon Kwemo, was elected as mayor before he quit the position in 2020 to run for a place in parliament. 

His exit was followed by the election of another of his party supporter as mayor in the council. Hon Kwemo is tipped as the favourite for the party’s flag-bearer position heading to next Saturday’s election. 

This, many observers say, is due to the rich profile that the celebrated politician, who is also known for his strides as a football promoter, has built over the years to secure a place for himself as one of the strongest political figures in Cameroon.

Before creating UMS in 2011, Hon Kwemo had already been a household name in Cameroonian politics. 

He had spent several years at the Social Democratic Front, SDF, strategically growing through the ranks of the party to holding the position of First Vice President before quitting the structure to create the now famed UMS some two years later. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3456 of Monday May 26, 2025