The original task of the conference was to concur that the Congo River and Niger River mouths and basins would be deemed neutral and open to trade.
• Part of the Congo Basin became a personal kingdom for King Leopold II.
• Under his rule, much of the population was eradicated.
• Another purpose was to expand the influence of the European powers over Africa and begin to divvy up the colonies.
• At the time of the conference, eighty percent of Africa maintained traditional and local control.
• Africa was subsequently separated into fifty irregular countries.
• The new countries were not in order, and there were divided groups of people who merged disparate groups who did not get along.