Separatist Council

The Separatist Council, also known as the Council of Separatists, the Separatist Union, or the Leadership Council, was the quasi-executive corps in charge of the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars, the conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy itself, which was seeking to leave the former. Count Dooku originally summoned wealthy businesspeople to the planet Geonosis, where they formed a pact with a common goal: to create a "new" governing body for the galaxy and obliterate the Republic. The members of the Council participated actively during the war, leading brigades of battle droids against the forces of the Republic, though mainly to further their own ends.

During the course of the war, bounties were placed on the Council members' heads, which led to their rendezvous at the planet Belderone. Shortly after, however, the public leader and Head of the Council, Dooku, died at the hands of the young Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, although the Council was unaware that his death was orchestrated by Sidious as part of his plan to lure Skywalker to the dark side. The Council was placed under the personal protection of General Grievous, Supreme Commander of the Separatist Droid Army. The Council members, along with Grievous, were relocated to the planet Utapau due to security issues, but were discovered by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and the 212th attack battalion.

Sith Lord Darth Sidious ordered the Council relocated to the planet Mustafar, prior to a major battle on the planet. The Council departed, and Grievous was killed by Kenobi in the midst of the battle. Nute Gunray became Head of the Council, and he and the rest of the corporate conglomerates were placed in charge of the Confederacy. The Separatist Council was ultimately betrayed by Sidious, who sent Vader (formerly Skywalker who turned to the dark side and became Sidious's apprentice) to eliminate them for good. It was on Mustafar that the members of the Separatist Council were massacred one by one by the vengeful Sith Lord.

Text and facts from the “Separatist Council/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.