( 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 .
Two former allies of Guinea-Bissau 's assassinated president killed , military says . Military says pair were plotting against government ; some fear military plans coup . President Vieira assassinated March 2 in attack on presidential palace . - The United Nations Security Council votes unanimously to authorize a peacekeeping force for the Central African Republic.