In 3–5 sentences, explain why the artificial boundaries and imperial policies created by Europeans in Africa during the 1880s continue to cause ethnic and economic problems for modern African nations.
The artificial boundaries imposed by Europeans on Africa during the 1880s, known as the Scramble for Africa, divided numerous ethnic groups into separate nations without considering their cultural, linguistic, or historical backgrounds. This has resulted in ongoing ethnic conflicts and tensions fuelled by the forced coexistence of various groups within a single nation-state. The arbitrary borders have also hindered economic integration, as nations are often fragmented and lack cohesive regional trade systems, leading to suboptimal economic development and competition between neighboring states. These historical policies still resonate today, contributing to the challenges faced by modern African nations in terms of governance, identity, and economic progress.
