The Keitumite Mutual Military Treaty was a treaty signed by representatives from seven planets, including Ansion and the Keitumites, prior to the Clone Wars. The Military Treaty joined the worlds in both commerce and defense. While the treaty had never actually been invoked, it remained in force during the years following the Invasion of Naboo. During the Separatist Crisis, Shu Mai attempted to force Ansion to secede from the Galactic Republic—hoping that the others, bound by their respective treaties, would follow suit, and thus add more planets and systems to the Separatist cause.