Tito Biel
Encyclopedia
Tito Biel Chuor was a high-ranking commander in the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) during the Second Sudanese Civil War
(1983–2005).
Tito Biel, of the Dok section of the Nuer people, was originally in the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA), but joined Riek Machar
's breakaway faction in 1991.
He followed Riek Machar when he became reconciled with the Sudan government in 1997, joining the SSDF.
Major General Tito Biel led SSDF forces in 1998/1999 in clashes with Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) troops and militia under Major General Paulino Matiep.
By April 1999 Tito Biel's SSDF forces in Western Upper Nile were cooperating with the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA) forces in Bahr el Ghazal
, who were supplying arms.
Tito was pushed out of Leer
by Paulino's forces, and on arrival in Yirol
early in May 1999 he formally declared that he had switched to the SPLA, along with his officers and men.
For several months after September 1999 he coordinated with Commander Peter Gadet
in attacking various oil-related targets in Unity State. Gadet had also rebelled from the SSDF after fighting Tito earlier in the year for control of Block 5A
.
In November 1999 Biel, Gadet and other Nuer commanders formed the Upper Nile Provisional United Military Command Council (UMCC) to coordinate anti-government forces in the state.
They were not satisfied with Riek Machar
for cooperating with the government despite the fact that the government had not honored the Khartoum peace agreement and had not handed over control of the oil fields to the Nuer militias.
Riek Machar resigned from the government at the end of the year and in February 2000 formed the Sudan People's Democratic Forces (SPDF). For a while the UMCC and SPDF cooperated, but the arrangement broke down as the government supplied Machar with arms and ammunition to settle grievances with the SPLA/Gadet troop.
Later in 2000 Tito Biel joined Riek Machar's SPDF.
He spent several months after March 2000 in Nairobi
with Riek Machar and other leaders.
In early 2001 Tito Biel returned to Eastern Upper Nile with Riek Machar where they tried to drum up support for the SPDF militia.
In early February 2002, resentful that he had not been consulted on Riek Machar's deal with John Garang to rejoin the SPLA, Tito Biel rejoined the Sudan government. Later he was joined by Peter Gadet.
Second Sudanese Civil War
The Second Sudanese Civil War started in 1983, although it was largely a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972. Although it originated in southern Sudan, the civil war spread to the Nuba mountains and Blue Nile by the end of the 1980s....
(1983–2005).
Tito Biel, of the Dok section of the Nuer people, was originally in the Sudan People's Liberation Army
Sudan People's Liberation Army
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as a rebel political movement with a military wing known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army estimated at 180,000 soldiers. The SPLM fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudanese...
(SPLA), but joined Riek Machar
Riek Machar
Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon , is the first vice-president of the independent Republic of South Sudan.Riek Machar obtained a PhD in mechanical engineering in 1984 and then joined the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army during the Second Sudanese Civil War...
's breakaway faction in 1991.
He followed Riek Machar when he became reconciled with the Sudan government in 1997, joining the SSDF.
Major General Tito Biel led SSDF forces in 1998/1999 in clashes with Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) troops and militia under Major General Paulino Matiep.
By April 1999 Tito Biel's SSDF forces in Western Upper Nile were cooperating with the Sudan People's Liberation Army
Sudan People's Liberation Army
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as a rebel political movement with a military wing known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army estimated at 180,000 soldiers. The SPLM fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudanese...
(SPLA) forces in Bahr el Ghazal
Bahr el Ghazal
The Bahr el Ghazal is a region of western South Sudan. Its name comes from the river Bahr el Ghazal.- Geography :The region consists of the states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, and Warrap. It borders Central African Republic to the west...
, who were supplying arms.
Tito was pushed out of Leer
Leer, South Sudan
Leer is a small town in Unity State in South Sudan. It is the headquarters of Leer County.-Location:Leer is in Dok Nuer territory.It is located in Block 5A, an important oil-producing area in the north of South Sudan....
by Paulino's forces, and on arrival in Yirol
Yirol
-Location:It is located in Yirol West County, Lakes State, in central South Sudan. Its location lies approximately , by road, northwest of Juba, the largest city in South Sudan and the capital of that country. The coordinates of Yirol are: 6° 33' 36.00"N, 30° 30' 36.00"E .-Overview:Yirol is a small...
early in May 1999 he formally declared that he had switched to the SPLA, along with his officers and men.
For several months after September 1999 he coordinated with Commander Peter Gadet
Peter Gadet
Peter Yak Gadet is a former Sudan People's Liberation Army general who is now the leader of the South Sudan Liberation Army , the largest rebel movement in South Sudan....
in attacking various oil-related targets in Unity State. Gadet had also rebelled from the SSDF after fighting Tito earlier in the year for control of Block 5A
Block 5A, South Sudan
Block 5A is an oil concession in South Sudan.After oil field development began during the Second Sudanese Civil War, Block 5A was the scene of extensive fighting as rival militias struggled for control....
.
In November 1999 Biel, Gadet and other Nuer commanders formed the Upper Nile Provisional United Military Command Council (UMCC) to coordinate anti-government forces in the state.
They were not satisfied with Riek Machar
Riek Machar
Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon , is the first vice-president of the independent Republic of South Sudan.Riek Machar obtained a PhD in mechanical engineering in 1984 and then joined the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army during the Second Sudanese Civil War...
for cooperating with the government despite the fact that the government had not honored the Khartoum peace agreement and had not handed over control of the oil fields to the Nuer militias.
Riek Machar resigned from the government at the end of the year and in February 2000 formed the Sudan People's Democratic Forces (SPDF). For a while the UMCC and SPDF cooperated, but the arrangement broke down as the government supplied Machar with arms and ammunition to settle grievances with the SPLA/Gadet troop.
Later in 2000 Tito Biel joined Riek Machar's SPDF.
He spent several months after March 2000 in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
with Riek Machar and other leaders.
In early 2001 Tito Biel returned to Eastern Upper Nile with Riek Machar where they tried to drum up support for the SPDF militia.
In early February 2002, resentful that he had not been consulted on Riek Machar's deal with John Garang to rejoin the SPLA, Tito Biel rejoined the Sudan government. Later he was joined by Peter Gadet.