Algeria and the U.S. are working to bring moderates among the northern rebels into a political solution. Ambassador Carson says that is essential.

"Equally important for us, as well as for the people of Mali, is that they move forward in an expeditious manner as quickly as they can to put in place a roadmap and a the United States is pushing for elections by April," said Carson.

Cooke says that is unlikely given the weakness of the transitional government in Bamako. "There's so little trust right now in any political structure in Bamako that it's going to take I think a lot of external pressure and external support and oversight to make that work," she stated.

If Mali's transitional leaders are unable to organize elections by April, there will be outside pressure for a reconstituted interim administration with less military influence and greater participation from the north.