By composition, ECOWAS can be regarded as a

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks how ECOWAS can be classified based on its composition, meaning the kind of members it has and the area they come from.

Step 2: Explain the concept International organisations are classified by membership and geographic scope:

• Global (universal): Open to countries worldwide, e.g. the United Nations.
• Continental: Covers a whole continent, e.g. the African Union (AU).
• Regional: Covers a particular part of a continent, e.g. ECOWAS, the East African Community, SADC.
• Bilateral: Involves only two states, e.g. the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission.

Step 3: Apply it to ECOWAS ECOWAS is the Economic Community of West African States, founded in 1975 with the Treaty of Lagos. Its members come only from West Africa, which is one sub-section of Africa. For that reason:

• It is not global, because its members are not drawn from all over the world.
• It is not continental, because it does not include all African countries (the AU does that).
• It is not bilateral, because it has many members (15 at its founding, and later changes in membership).
• It is regional, because its membership is limited to one geographical region, West Africa.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. Regional organisation.

Step 5: Exam tip Match the name to the scope: "West Africa" in the name = regional. If you see "African Union," think continental. If you see "United Nations," think global. If only two countries are involved, think bilateral.