The Council of Neutral Systems represented a political body within the Galactic Senate of the Galactic Republic. It was comprised of over 1,500 star systems that sought to maintain neutrality during the Clone Wars, the armed struggle between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Established in 22 BBY, the council was under the leadership of Duchess Satine Kryze of the planet Mandalore.
This council, a faction within the Galactic Senate, included 1,500 star systems and was guided by Duchess Satine Kryze of the New Mandalorians. Prominent members also consisted of Senator Prince Tal Merrik from Kalevala, Senator Onaconda Farr hailing from Rodia, Senator Zinn Paulness, Senator Kin Robb of Taris, and Senator Dantum Roohd. Functioning as a distinct segment of the Pacifist faction inside the Galactic Republic Senate, the Council of Neutral Systems generally abstained from votes concerning the war effort. They also opposed actions designed to reprimand or penalize neutral systems for treasonous trade or similar economic activities.
For the majority of member economies within the Council of Neutral Systems, sustained viability depended on unrestricted commerce with both the Republic and the [Confederacy of Independent Systems](/article/confederacy_of_independent_systems], prioritizing the welfare of their respective planets. Nevertheless, a number of members did attempt to capitalize on war-related profits. Conventionally, the Council of Neutral Systems would introduce representatives from outside the Republic, providing them with senate pods and opportunities to address the Galactic Senate. As the appointed head of the organization, Duchess Kryze served as the primary negotiator for the group in dealings with the Galactic Republic. Despite his alignment as a Loyalist, Senator Orn Free Taa maintained connections with the Council of Neutral Systems.
The year 22 BBY marked the Galactic Republic's entry into war against the Confederacy of Independent Systems, a consequence of escalating tensions over several years. Although Mandalore was nominally a member of the Republic, its leader, Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore, declared the planet neutral. Her motivation was to shield her people from the ravages of war, having already suffered greatly during the Mandalorian Civil War. While Duchess Satine's decision provoked disapproval from both the Republic and the Confederacy, it served as an inspiration for numerous systems across the galaxy that shared similar sentiments, leading them to also embrace neutrality. The Mandalore ruler then initiated discussions with these like-minded systems, along with the Pacifist faction of the Galactic Senate. These discussions eventually culminated in the formation of the Council of Neutral Systems in 22 BBY.