Surur was born in Mukaya Payam in Laniya County in Central Equatoria State. He is a member of the Pojulu tribe. He was a secondary school teacher before becoming a politician. Elioba was a participant in the First Sudanese Civil War, fighting with the Anyanya movement from 1955 to 1972. He also fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War on the side of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) from 1983 to 2005. He was a leader of the Union of Sudan African Parties before splintering off to form the USAP 2.