(CNN) -- Two high-profile political officials linked to Guinea-Bissau's recently assassinated president were killed Friday, according to a statement from the West African country's interim army chief. The killings raised fears that a military coup may be under way.



Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Jr, left, and interim President Raimundo Pereira are currently out of the country.



The military confirmed the killings of former Defense Minister Helder Proenca and presidential candidate Baciro Dabo, saying the men were killed because they were plotting a coup against the current government.



The military said several members of the ruling party have been arrested on allegations of taking part in the plot, which included a plan to assassinate the current prime minister and the interim president, according to the statement from interim army chief Zamora Induta.



However, the move by the military has raised fears that the military itself is plotting to take over the government, particularly since the arrests and killings took place while Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Jr., interim President Raimundo Pereira, and defense minister Artur Da Silva are out of the country.



President Joao Bernardo Vieira, 69, was assassinated on March 2 during an attack on the presidential palace. The attack happened a day after Gen. Tagme Na Waie, chief of Guinea-Bissau's military, was killed in a bomb explosion in his office.



The army and Guinea-Bissau's president clashed in the months prior to Vieira's assassination. Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony, has a history of military coups.
Who has a history of military coups? When did it occur? How many people were involved in the assassination plot? Who killed him? What does the military say? Who is the former president of Guinea-Bissau? Who was killed? Who was assassinated?
Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony, Friday, several members of the ruling party The military several members of the ruling party have been arrested Joao Bernardo Vieira, Defense Minister Helder Proenca and presidential candidate Baciro Dabo, president
question: Who has a history of military coups?, answer: Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony, | question: When did it occur?, answer: Friday, | question: How many people were involved in the assassination plot?, answer: several members of the ruling party | question: Who killed him?, answer: The military | question: What does the military say?, answer: several members of the ruling party have been arrested | question: Who is the former president of Guinea-Bissau?, answer: Joao Bernardo Vieira, | question: Who was killed?, answer: Defense Minister Helder Proenca and presidential candidate Baciro Dabo, | question: Who was assassinated?, answer: president