Western Sahara/Morocco

McDonald's apologizes for map debacle

Article published on the 2008-12-02 Latest update 2008-12-02 19:41 TU

Ronald McDonald
(Credit: Wikimedia)

A Moroccan subsidiary of McDonald's, a US-based fast food chain, apologized for eliminating Western Sahara off a map that was a part of its children's 'happy meal' offerings, Morocco's official state news agency reported. The local franchise apologised after a joint Moroccan-Sahara association protested about the error.

"The toys included a small map on which the borders were incorrectly drawn. We profoundly regret making this mistake and we apologise to our loyal customers and fellow citizens," said McDonald's Morocco in a statement.

The franchise said it would replace the offending map with a children's happy meal.

Western Sahara was invaded by Morocco in 1975, after Spain, the former colonial power, withdrew from the territory. The move by Morocco sparked a war fought against the Polisario Front, a group representing the rights of the Saharawi people. The UN brokered a cease-fire in 1991.

Morocco has offered autonomy to the Saharawi people, who have pushed for a UN-supported referendum. The referendum would determine whether the nomadic people would become legal citizens under the kingdom of Morocco, subjects of the king with autonomy, or opt for independence.