Qabsa

Qabsa is a town situated in the Sool region of Somaliland, within the administrative boundaries of the Jubbada Dhexe District. The settlement lies in the southwestern part of the Somaliland republic, along the main road that connects the regional capital of Las Anod to other surrounding communities. It is predominantly inhabited by members of the Dhulbahante clan, which constitutes the majority of the local population.

The town functions primarily as a local market centre for the surrounding pastoral and agricultural communities. Residents engage in livestock rearing, cultivation of hardy cereals, and small-scale trade of goods such as livestock, dairy products, and hand‑made crafts. Qabsa also hosts a small primary school and a basic health clinic that serve the surrounding rural population.

During the colonial and post‑colonial periods, Qabsa has witnessed various shifts in administrative status. It was incorporated into the British Somaliland Protectorate in the early 20th century, and subsequently became part of the independent Somali Republic before the latter’s fragmentation. In 1993, after the civil war, Qabsa came under the de facto control of the Somaliland government. The town’s strategic location continues to make it a focal point for local trade and a site of periodic community gatherings.

Qabsa has gained some recognition through local development initiatives aimed at improving water supply, road connectivity, and social services, although its remote setting limits large‑scale economic investment. The community remains largely traditional, with an economy centred on pastoralism and subsistence agriculture, while the town acts as a hub for merchants and travelers in the region.