Rival claims to Haiti's government would undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process, the economy and the country's security situation. Interim Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Jan. 17 said the country's next president will be "elected freely and democratically by the majority of the Haitian people," but did not say when. His statement came days after opposition forces announced the formation of a transitional government that would last until the inauguration of a new government. That announcement emerged from Haitian civil society organizations critical of Henry that held a so-called Haiti Unity Summit from Jan. 14-17, which saw the selection of economist Fritz Alphonse Jean to be the president of a transitional government that would be tasked with setting a date for, and otherwise facilitating, democratic elections. Henry succeeded Haitian President Jovenel Moise, whose term in office became mired in a controversy over term lengths.