Some people thought this was a joke when it first trended on Twitter. But it is true Sarah Palin, who thinks Africa is a country, plans to use South Sudan to bolster her resume.  From ABC News’ The Note Blog:

ABC News’ Dana Hughes (@Dana_Hughes) reports it’s possible Palin will visit Juba in South Sudan on July 9. That’s the date South Sudan, which is predominantly black and Christian, will become its own country separate from North Sudan, which is predominantly Arab and Muslim. Christian conservatives have latched on to the plight of Sudan’s southerners since former President George W. Bush’s first term. His administration brokered a peace agreement that started South Sudan down its path to secession.”

July 9 is when South Sudan will officially celebrate its independence. Somehow Palin got herself an invitation. Well she is tagging along with Franklin Graham, a TV preacher who believes “the Islamic seed” was passed through Obama by his father, Barack Snr. And as we know conveniently South Sudan is “a Christian nation.”

First reactions around my house ranged from “Is she going to stay there? That would be a good thing” to “Don’t the Sudanese have enough problems already.”

* We know Palin’s sense of African politics is quite limited. McCain aides spread rumors in the 2008 US presidential campaign that Palin did not know that Africa was a continent, has publicly misrepresented Alaska’s relations with the northern Sudanese government, and has close links to a Kenyan evangelical preacher infamous for leading witch hunts against some of his neighbors. He had traveled to Alaska to “lay hands on her.” Palin later credited his prayers for her election as governor of Alaska in 2005.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama will visit South Africa and Botswana.