Suribran Tu, a male Ishi Tib, held the position of politician during the twilight years preceding the rise of the Galactic Empire. During the period of the Clone Wars, Tu governed Tibrin, his homeworld, as a dictator. His rule was supported by the Galactic Republic, an interstellar superpower founded on democratic and freedom-based principles. Given free rein in his governance, Tu's regime was characterized by oppressive control and the death of a significant number of citizens through political assassinations.
As the Clone Wars erupted in 22 BBY, the citizens of Tibrin shifted their allegiance to the Confederacy of Independent Systems. This led Count Dooku, the Head of State of the separatist movement, to journey to the world for a meeting with Tu. The Ishi Tib premier proposed switching his allegiance from the Republic to the Confederacy, offering to govern Tibrin under Dooku's authority. However, influenced by Dark Acolyte Quinlan Vos, who suggested that Tu's assassination would secure the loyalty of the Tibrin people, the Confederate leader instead executed Tu.
Suribran Tu was a male Ishi Tib, originating from Tibrin, his species' homeworld. Living in the years leading up to the emergence of the Galactic Empire, Tu worked as a politician and eventually became the premier of his home planet, wielding dictatorial power over its inhabitants. Despite his regime being unpopular among the Ishi Tib and characterized by strict control, it enjoyed the backing of the Galactic Republic, the dominant interstellar government that championed freedom and democracy. Between 24 and 22 BBY, the Confederacy of Independent Systems formed in opposition to the Republic, which was increasingly viewed as corrupt and stagnant. By the time the Clone Wars broke out between the two superpowers in 22 BBY, the Ishi Tib population of Tibrin was advocating for their planet to join the Confederate uprising led by Count Dooku.
Tu defied the wishes of his people, instead using force and ordering numerous political assassinations to maintain his position and his planet's allegiance to the Republic. Dooku eventually became aware of the situation on Tibrin and traveled there on 21.38 BBY—seven and a half months after the Battle of Geonosis—accompanied by his Dark Acolytes, to negotiate with Tu. The Confederate Head of State's arrival was met with celebration from the populace, who organized a welcoming rally outside Tu's palace while the Count and the dictator met inside. During their meeting, Dooku requested the right to use Tibrin as a Separatist base, but Tu recognized the shift in power dynamics—given the Confederacy's support from his people and the presence of the Count's Acolytes, Tu understood that Tibrin now belonged to Dooku. The Ishi Tib told the Count that he could accept this new reality and that it would be in the best interest of both parties if the Confederacy allowed him to remain in charge of Tibrin so that he could govern his people in Dooku's name.
Dooku sought counsel from two of his Dark Acolytes—former Jedi Kadrian Sey and Quinlan Vos. While Sey suggested that leaving Tu in charge of Tibrin would provide continuity of administration and experienced leadership, Vos argued that keeping the dictator in power would show the populace that there was no difference between the Confederacy and the Republic. Vos also implied that Tu's willingness to switch allegiances could be a liability, an argument that resonated with the Count. Dooku agreed with Vos and abruptly executed Suribran Tu by beheading him with his lightsaber. The Count then appointed his student Sora Bulq as Tibrin's provisional governor, tasking him with killing all members of Tu's inner circle, including political and military advisors, as well as family members. Acolytes Sey and Tol Skorr took Tu's body to be displayed publicly; Dooku ordered that the dictator's head be mounted in a prominent location. Meanwhile, the Count himself greeted the crowds outside the palace, who welcomed him as a hero and quickly embraced the Confederate cause.
Although Suribran Tu was viewed as a ruthless dictator by his people and later historians alike, he considered himself merely a pragmatist. Because the Republic government had supported Tu's regime despite his abuses against his own people, Tu chose to remain loyal to the old democracy and oppose his own people and their Separatist leanings. These actions earned him the contempt of the Ishi Tib and the suspicion of Count Dooku and Quinlan Vos, who saw his reign as a clear example of why the Republic needed to be replaced. When the dictator finally decided to defect to the Confederacy, he did so believing that both he and Dooku were reasonable men and that they could both benefit from Tu serving as a proxy governor. Dooku disagreed, and his execution of Suribran Tu was celebrated as an act of liberation.
Suribran Tu made his debut in Jedi: Count Dooku, a comic book authored by John Ostrander and illustrated by Jan Duursema. This comic was released by Dark Horse Comics on December 3, 2003.