Bamako , Mali ( CNN ) -- U.S. aid to Mali could `` very seriously be affected , '' a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said Friday , a day after renegade soldiers staged a coup in the young African democracy . The United States gives Mali 's government roughly $ 140 million in aid each year . `` A little more than half of that is humanitarian aid -- food , etc . -- that would not be affected . But if the situation is not resolved democratically , the remaining portion of that aid could very seriously be affected , '' Victoria Nuland told reporters in Washington . `` Any U.S. assistance to the government of Mali , beyond what we give for humanitarian purposes , is at risk if we can not get back to a democratic situation in the country , '' she said . Nuland spoke the same day the African Union suspended Mali 's membership . At a meeting in the Ethiopian capital , Addis Ababa , the African Union implemented the punitive measures until constitutional order is restored in Mali . Paul Zolo , Nigeria 's ambassador , said the African Union would hold accountable all those involved in the breakdown of security in Mali . Chairman Jean Ping said the council would consider sanctions similar to those imposed in Ivory Coast during its recent political turmoil . In the Malian capital , Bamako , shops and offices remained shut a day after the military ousted President Amadou Toumani Toure . The new military junta suspended the constitution and closed the nation 's borders . Toure 's whereabouts remain unknown . The military has only said that `` he is safe . '' Ping said Toure was in still in Mali and was apparently `` protected by his royal guard . '' Nuland said the same . Amnesty International reported at least three deaths in Thursday 's coup . Amnesty 's director in Mali , Saloum Traore , said the casualties were discovered in the Gabriel Toure hospital ; 28 others were injured . Amnesty staff members have not been able to access the other major hospital in Bamako . News of the military takeover garnered immediate worldwide condemnation . The west African nation of about 15 million people was considered a shining example of democracy . Amadou Konare , the spokesman for the renegade soldiers who seized control , accused the government of mishandling an insurgency by Tuareg nomads , who have long called for the creation of an independent state and have risen up against the Malian government a number of times since the 1960s . The indigenous tribe are spread across Mali , Libya , Algeria , Niger and Burkina Faso . The latest uprising began to take root late last year but gained momentum in January , when the rebels began attacking towns in northern Mali . It has been further energized by an influx of fighters who had been fighting on behalf of former Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi . The Tuareg took advantage of the chaos in the capital and pushed south to occupy the town of Anefis , previously held by the Malian soldiers , according to an online statement from the Azawad National Liberation Movement . They announced on Radio France International that they would go after other cities , including Gao , Kidal and Timbuktu , that they said were rightfully theirs . The statement said the coup would not affect the Tuareg quest for a separate homeland . Amadou Aya Sanogo , Mali 's new military leader , said Friday that he would reach out to the rebels for peace talks . The junta declared a nationwide curfew but called on people to return to work Tuesday . It also said Mali will hold elections for a new president , though no date was announced . Konare said Mali security forces have formed the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and State to work as a transitional government . A 1991 military coup led by Toure ended a dictatorship in the landlocked West African nation . Toure became president in 2002 , was re-elected in 2007 and was scheduled to step down in April , when elections were set to pick his successor . Jennifer G. Cooke , Africa director of the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies , said the Mali coup , if ultimately successful , would be a major setback to the nation 's political development . `` With the region , the international community and very likely the vast majority of Malians in stark opposition , there is no good outcome here , and things are likely to end very badly for the mutineers , '' Cooke wrote on the center 's website . The growing Tuareg insurgency has raised concerns in Washington , which sees Mali as an important ally against al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb , the sub-Saharan offshoot of the terrorist group . The ongoing violence between these rebels and security forces has compelled tens of thousands of Malians to flee into neighboring countries and created turmoil in Toure 's administration . Conflict in the region has forced the United Nations to appeal for $ 35.6 million to address the growing humanitarian crisis as throngs of Malians flee into neighboring countries . CNN 's Pierre Meilhan , Kim Chakanetsa and Moni Basu and journalists Tom Walsh , Diakaridia Dembele and Amadou Timbine contributed to this report .
NEW : The United States gives Mali roughly $ 140 million each year . NEW : African Union suspends Mali after coup , will consider sanctions . The Tuareg rebels take advantage of the political chaos . Military leaders say they will hold elections .