It was built in 1996 to mark the military coup d'état of July 22, 1994, through which Yahya Jammeh and his Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council overthrew the democratically elected Gambian government of President Dawda Jawara.

[1] The arch stands on the Banjul-Serrekunda Highway, near the traffic island at the intersection 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 has a rifle strapped to his back and carries a baby in one hand while signaling victory (making a V-sign) with the other.

Access to the upper floors can be made through several elevators and spiral cases.

The gallery on the second floor provides a panorama of the city, with the view extending down to the sea port of Banjul and the mangrove forests of Tanbi Wetland Complex.