More than 80 percent of labor migrations in Africa happen within the continent, yet many countries still have negative attitudes toward migrants. Despite this, migrants are often unfairly blamed for economic and social problems that go beyond their control. These accusations frequently arise in areas such as employment, trade, access to housing, and public services. The change from welcoming migrants to rejecting them brings up important questions about the roles of economic instability, inequality, and political rhetoric in shaping the idea of "the foreigner." There is also a contradiction between the pan-African vision of free movement and the continued presence of borders and the retreat of people based on identity. Fatimata Wane recently spoke with Alfred Babo, an anthropologist and professor at Fairfield University in the United States. Babo specializes in migration, social conflicts, and land issues in Africa. He is the author of The 'Foreigner' in Côte d'Ivoire: Crises and Controversies Around a Social Category, published by L'Harmattan. Babo's work explores how the concept of "the foreigner" is constructed in Côte d'Ivoire and the tensions that arise from it. His research highlights the complex interplay between migration, identity, and social conflict in African societies. Through his studies, he aims to shed light on the broader implications of migration and the challenges faced by migrants in the region.