Executive Separatist Council
The Separatist Council, also known as the Executive Separatist Council, functioned as a governing body within the Confederacy of Independent Systems, under the leadership of Count Dooku. This council comprised prominent Separatist figures from the major entities that supported the Separatist cause during the Clone Wars, such as the Trade Federation, the Techno Union, the Corporate Alliance, the Commerce Guild, and the InterGalactic Banking Clan. Tragically, Sith Lord Darth Sidious betrayed the entire Council, resulting in their slaughter at the hands of his newly appointed apprentice, Darth Vader, on Mustafar near the conclusion of the war in 19 BBY. This act effectively dismantled the Confederacy's leadership.
History
Prior to the establishment of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Count Dooku of Serenno secretly forged alliances with significant galactic corporations, including the Techno Union, Commerce Guild, and Trade Federation. While aligning with the Count presented certain risks, becoming a founding corporation within the Confederacy offered unique advantages, with the most notable being a guaranteed seat on the Council.
In 22 BBY, the Council members convened on Geonosis alongside Count Dooku to strategize their combat against the Galactic Republic. Senator Rogwa Wodrata was also in attendance at this meeting. By the time of their meeting, the Trade Federation, led by Viceroy Nute Gunray, had already committed its Droid Army to Dooku, prompting other corporations to follow suit. The Council played a crucial role in providing funding, warships, and droids to the CIS war effort. Despite forging business alliances with Dooku, these corporate leaders were also willing to maintain dealings with the Republic, viewing the impending Clone Wars as an opportunity to profit from both sides of the conflict.
Throughout the Clone Wars, the Council operated as the clandestine force behind the civilian Separatist Senate, which handled civil affairs, while the Council concentrated on military matters and financial support. The members were largely driven by selfish motives and avarice. During the Battle of Coruscant in 19 BBY, Count Dooku met his demise, a development secretly orchestrated by Darth Sidious to manipulate Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker towards the Dark Side. Following this battle, the Council members were placed under the protection of General Grievous. Acting under orders from Lord Sidious, Grievous instructed the Council to relocate to the volcanic world of Mustafar, situated in the Outer Rim Territories. The Council members departed Utapau just before a battle erupted between the Republic and the Confederacy, resulting in Grievous's death at the hands of Skywalker's mentor, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Shortly thereafter, Sidious communicated via hologram, informing them that his new apprentice, Darth Vader, would oversee their security, unaware that Sidious had actually sent Vader to eliminate them, as he no longer had any need for the Council members. With the Republic's transformation into the Galactic Empire and the Council's annihilation, the Confederacy crumbled, marked by the deactivation of its droid armies.
Powers
The Executive Separatist Council functioned as both an advisory body and a quasi-governmental entity within the Confederacy, operating under the supervision of the Head of State, Count Dooku. Although the Separatist Senate was nominally the official legislative branch, Dooku, empowered by emergency wartime authority, largely disregarded its role.
Members
The council was composed of several Separatist leaders:
- Nute Gunray [12] - Viceroy of the Trade Federation and leader of the Council [4]
- Wat Tambor [12] - Foreman of the Techno Union and Emir of Ryloth
- Poggle the Lesser [12] - Archduke of Stalgasin hive
- San Hill [12] - Chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan
- Shu Mai [12] - Presidente of the Commerce Guild
- Passel Argente [12] - Magistrate of the Corporate Alliance
- Po Nudo [12] - Senator of Ando and leader of the Hyper-Communications Cartel
- Rogwa Wodrata [2] - a former Republic senator [8]
- Tikkes [12] - Senator of Mon Cala and the Quarren Isolation League
These leaders were aided by a number of assistants, including Rune Haako, Cat Miin, Sun Fac, Denaria Kee, Rute Gunnay, an unidentified Purkoll citizen, and Nank Tun.
Behind the scenes
In Revenge of the Sith, an unidentified Separatist is seen seated beside Tikkes on [Utapau](/article/utapau]. However, due to the character's lack of dialogue or specific focus, it remains unclear whether this individual was a member of the Separatist Council or simply an aide. Pablo Hidalgo from the Lucasfilm Story Group has mentioned that the character was digitally inserted into the scene as a separate element, but he has been unable to locate a name for the character or any still photographs from that particular shoot.