Eastern and Central Africa have experienced many recent conflicts, including several civil wars. One reason for the frequent conflict is because many countries in these regions contain multiple ethnic groups that don't always have the same views or needs. When European powers claimed land in Africa as their own, they did not consider the needs of the people already living there. Instead, they worked to claim all the land and resources they could. When these colonies won independence, most new countries had no choice but to keep the borders that Europeans had established. Still, it has proved difficult in the years since to create stable governments that could manage so many different groups of people.

Writing Assignment

When Central and eastern Africa colonies won their independence, most new countries had no choice but to keep the borders that Europeans had established. In one or more paragraphs, explain why this might have caused problems?

Paragraph Frame

When Central and eastern Africa colonies won . European powers divided Africa without thinking . This forced many different groups to . Europeans also treated Africans . Europe's treatment of its African colonies created a situation . This is why.