House Dem off to Darfur after visa snafu

This morning, Twitter Room reported that Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) departed for the Darfur region of Sudan on a trip promoting human rights in the war-torn region.

It was not all smooth sailing for the Minnesota Democrat; he encountered visa issues at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany while boarding a connecting flight to the African nation.

He tweeted on Tuesday afternoon (Eastern Time):

Problem: Boarding Frankfurt-to- Khartoum flight, agent stopped me b/o Israeli stamp in my passport. Same passport has visa to enter Sudan.

Things are looking up. Things might back on track w/ the Darfur trip. But stay tuned. It feels like anything could happen.

Looks like we’re in business. Thank God! But since we missed our earlier flight, now we go Frankfurt, Dubai, Khartoum. Keep pulling for us.

My office, Envoy Gration’s office, Sudan Foreign Ministry, others, worked to solve this visa issue. Thanx. Let’s get busy on hunan rights.

God Willing, be in Sudan until August 8; then to Kenya to work on global health, materal infant mortality, HIV, maleria. Be home Aug 14.

Trip is on and popping. Had to get a letter from the Sudanese Foreign Ministry. But we’re on. Thanks.

“[H]unan rights?” Congressman, I didn’t know they were serving Chinese food on the flight!

In all seriousness, we wish Rep. Ellison a safe trip.