The United States' role as the permanent 'penholder' for Western Sahara at the UN Security Council is being challenged due to concerns over impartiality. Since 1975, Washington has consistently aligned with Morocco's position, shifting from supporting the Madrid Accords to advocating for autonomy as the exclusive solution to the conflict. This bias was notably evident in a 2025 draft resolution, which required amendments from other members to mitigate its one-sided nature. As the Security Council prepares to vote on a new resolution later this month, calls are mounting for a shift in leadership on this file, urging either a transfer of the 'penholder' responsibility to more neutral members or a demand that the U.S. adhere strictly to international legal frameworks rather than unilateral political agendas.