Exhibition revives memories of Algeria’s struggle against colonial rule

Photographer and revolutionary, Kouassi’s legacy immortalized the fight against colonial rule, exposing France’s brutality to the world

ALGIERS, Algeria (MNTV) – An exhibition of the iconic photographs of Mohamed Kouassi in the Algerian capital of Algiers recently brought back to the vivid memories of their country’s fight for independence.

Through Kouassi’s compelling visual archives, generations reconnected with the pain, resilience, and heroism that defined the country’s liberation struggle.

Kouassi (1922–1996) was more than just a photographer; he was a revolutionary who used his lens as a weapon against colonial oppression.

His work captured the courage of Algeria’s people, the strategies of political leaders, and the brutal suppression by colonial France, ensuring that the world witnessed Algeria’s resistance.

His images, showcased by the Algerian Press Service (APS), remain a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for independence.

Kouassi’s passion for photography and patriotism converged early in his life, driving him to document injustices under French colonial rule as early as the 1940s.

His images provided irrefutable evidence of human rights violations and atrocities that colonial authorities tried to conceal through propaganda and diplomatic manipulation.

When Algeria’s independence movement gained momentum, Kouassi became a trusted documentarian of revolutionary history. His dedication earned him the role of official photographer for the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA).

In 1958, he joined the National Liberation Front’s (FLN) artistic troupe in Tunisia, traveling to refugee camps and National Liberation Army bases to capture the defining moments of the independence movement.

Heritage researcher Abdelkader Bendamache, who knew Kouassi in the 1980s, described him as a “giant of the image” who played a critical role in preserving Algeria’s revolutionary heritage.

Bendamache praised Kouassi’s patriotism and humility, noting his deep commitment to honoring the memory of Algeria’s martyrs.

Alongside his wife, activist Safia Kouassi, he was a key member of the FLN’s artistic movement, with his work displayed in exhibitions across Algeria.

Born in Blida and later settling in Algiers, Kouassi was captivated by the city’s historic Casbah, where he meticulously documented the harsh living conditions under colonial rule.

 His activism began with the Algerian Popular Party (PPA) and the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Liberties (MTLD), capturing political gatherings and protests through his camera. 

In 1946, he moved to Paris, where he enhanced his photographic skills and, in 1955, joined the FLN’s French Federation.

Kouassi’s commitment to exposing colonial oppression often came at great personal risk. In 1957, he attended the World Youth Festival in Moscow, where he used his photographs to highlight the realities of Algeria’s liberation struggle despite the threat of retaliation from French intelligence operatives.

His later works, stamped with the GPRA and APS seals, chronicled key revolutionary events and provided visual evidence to counter colonial misinformation.

The January 27 exhibition was more than just a display of photographs — it was a collective remembrance of Algeria’s journey toward freedom and a tribute to the man whose images preserved that history.

His work remains a vital national treasure, ensuring that the spirit of Algeria’s fight for independence endures across generations.