The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 significantly impacted African countries by formalizing the partitioning of Africa among European powers. Without African representation, the conference established rules for claiming territories, leading to the rapid colonization of almost the entire continent. This disregard for existing ethnic and political boundaries resulted in arbitrary borders that often divided communities or forced diverse groups together, sowing the seeds for future conflicts. The implications of these actions have persisted, contributing to instability, violence, and strife in many present-day African nations as they grapple with the legacies of colonialism.