Arch 22
Arch 22 is a commemorative arch on the road into Banjul in the Gambia. It was built in 1996 to mark the military coup d'etat which over threw the democratically elected government, and saw the rise to power on 22 July 1994 of President Yahya Jammeh and his Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.[1]
The arch stands on the Banjul-Serrekunda Highway near to the traffic island which intersects with Box Bar Road, Independence Drive and Marina Parade. A statue of the "unknown soldier" 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 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. 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.
References
- ↑ Ham, Anthony (2009). West Africa. London: Lonely Planet. p. 295. Retrieved 2011-06-07.