Concept: The newest and most serious security threat confronting ECOWAS today is the spread of violent extremism across West Africa.
Explanation: ECOWAS was established mainly to promote economic cooperation and integration among West African states.
Over the years, its role has expanded to include peacekeeping and regional security matters.
Traditional threats, such as the smuggling of illegal goods across member-state borders, have existed for a long time.
However, a newer and far more dangerous threat has emerged, especially in the Sahel region.
Armed groups linked to religious and political extremism, such as Boko Haram and other jihadist movements, now operate across several member states.
These groups carry out terrorism, kidnappings, and violent attacks on civilians and security forces.
As a result, ECOWAS now treats extremism as its most urgent security priority.
Weak national armies make the situation worse, but they are not the threat themselves.
Proportional representation relates to electoral systems and is completely unconnected to ECOWAS security.
Answer: D. extremism