Rep. Ellison back in US after Africa trip

Mohamud, Ellison
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, left, and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison give a joint news conference at Mogadishu airport in a file photo from Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013.
AP Photo

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison is back in the United States after spending time in Somalia, a rare destination for a member of Congress.

Ellison was the first congressman in years to travel to Somalia. The United States government recently recognized the Somali government after some stability in a country that had experienced a long, bloody power struggle.

Ellison's Minneapolis district has a large concentration of residents of Somali descent.

A spokesman said Ellison returned on Friday. He planned to discuss his trip, which also included a stop in Kenya, during a conference call with reporters on Sunday.

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