Arch 22 is a commemorative arch on the road into Banjul

Banjul

-Transport:Ferries sail from Banjul to Barra. The city is served by the Banjul International Airport. Banjul is on the Trans–West African Coastal Highway connecting it to Dakar and Bissau, and will eventually provide a paved highway link to 11 other nations of ECOWAS.Banjul International Airport...

 in The Gambia

The Gambia

The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....

. It was built in 1996 to mark the military coup d'etat

Coup d'état

A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...

 which over threw the democratically elected government, and saw the rise to power on 22 July 1994 of President Yahya Jammeh

Yahya Jammeh

Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh is the President of The Gambia...

 and his Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council

Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council

Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council gained control of Gambia in July 1994, in a military coup d'état. The AFPRC deposed the Dawda Jawara government and banned opposition political activity. Lieutenant Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, chairman of the AFPRC, became head of state...

.

The arch stands on the Banjul-Serrekunda

Serrekunda

Serrekunda is the largest city in The Gambia, lying southwest of Banjul. Its population as of 2006, was 335,733 people. Although Banjul is The Gambia's capital, it is on an island, making further growth difficult and channeling much of the growth to Serekunda.Serrekunda is known for its market,...

 Highway near to the traffic island which intersects with Box Bar Road, Independence Drive and Marina Parade. A statue of the "unknown soldier"

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier refers to a grave in which the unidentifiable remains of a soldier are interred. Such tombs can be found in many nations and are usually high-profile national monuments. Throughout history, many soldiers have died in wars without their remains being identified...

 can be seen near the base of the arch. The soldier is carrying a baby in one hand, making the peace sign (V-sign) with the other hand, and has a rifle strapped across his back.

The Arch is depicted on the reverse of the 100 dalasi banknote.

Construction

The Arch was designed by Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby, who also designed Banjul's Yundum International Airport and the African Renaissance Monument

African Renaissance Monument

The African Renaissance Monument is a 49m tall bronze statue located on top one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelles, outside of Dakar, Senegal. Built overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the Ouakam suburb, the statue was designed by the Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby after an idea...

 in Dakar, Senegal.

At 35 metres it is one of the tallest structures in The Gambia. The building stands on eight columns and has three floors. Access to the upper floors can be made through several elevators and spiral cases.

The first floor is an intermediate level in the columns. The gallery on the second floor provides an impressive panorama of the city, with the view extending down to the sea port of Banjul and the mangrove forests of Tanbi Wetland Complex

Tanbi Wetland Complex

Tanbi Wetland Complex is a Wetland Reserve in The Gambia outside of Banjul. Established in 2001 it covers an area of 4500 hectares.This area covers a wide area and can be seen from a spectacular view at Lamin's, Lamin lodge. Its very common for monkeys to be spotted in the overgrowth...

. On the top floor is a small textile museum.

Due to doubts about the stability of the construction, the arch is currently closed to traffic.