Privacy policy

Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS)

Effective date: 20/05/2025
Last update : 01/06/2025

1. Introduction

The Comité Permanent Inter-États de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel (CILSS), an international organization created on September 12, 1973, is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal data of all users of its website and services. This privacy policy describes how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information.

2. Data controller

CILSS - Executive Secretariat
Address: 03 BP 7049 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
Phone number: +226 25 37 41 25
Email : cilss@cilss.int
Website : www.cilss.int

3. Personal data collected

3.1 Data collected automatically

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and duration of visits
• Referrers (websites from which you came)
• Date and time of visits

3.2 Data provided voluntarily

• First and last name
• E-mail address
• Telephone number
• Organization to which you belong
• Job title
• Country of residence
• Contact form information
• Newsletter subscriptions
• Comments and messages

3.3 Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. You can manage your cookie preferences via your browser settings.

4. Purposes of data processing

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

4.1 Main purposes

• Providing access to CILSS information and services
• Respond to your requests and queries
• Send newsletters and institutional communications
• Organize events, training and conferences
• Improve our services and website

4.2 Statistical purposes

• To analyze website usage
• Establish visitor statistics
• Improve ergonomics and functionalities

5. Legal basis for processing

The processing of your personal data is based on :

• Your explicit consent for newsletters and marketing communications
• The legitimate interest of CILSS for its institutional missions
• The performance of a mission of public interest in the fight against drought in the Sahel

6. Data recipients

Your personal data may be shared with :

6.1 Internal recipients

• Authorized CILSS personnel
• CILSS member states (in the context of our missions)

6.2 External recipients

• Technical service providers (hosting, IT maintenance)
• Institutional partners for joint projects
• International partner organizations (FAO, WFP, ECOWAS, etc.)

No data is sold to commercial third parties.

7. International transfers

As an international organization operating in 13 countries in the Sahel and West Africa, some data may be transferred to our member states. These transfers are governed by cooperation agreements guaranteeing an appropriate level of protection.

8. Retention period

• Browsing data: 13 months maximum
• Contact data: for the duration of our relationship plus 3 years
• Event registration data: 5 years
• Corporate archives: in accordance with applicable national and international regulations

9. Your rights

In accordance with applicable data protection regulations, you have the following rights:

9.1 Access and rectification rights

• Access to your personal data
• Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data

9.2 Right to erasure and restriction

• Request the deletion of your data under certain conditions
• Limit the processing of your data

9.3 Right of opposition and portability

• Object to the processing of your data
• Obtain portability of your data in a structured format

9.4 Exercising your rights

To exercise your rights, please contact us at: privacy@cilss.int or by post at our head office address.

10. Data security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data:

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Strict access control
• Regular data backup
• Staff training on data protection
• Regular security audits

11. Cookies and tracking technologies

11.1 Types of cookies used

• Technical cookies: necessary for site operation
• Analytical cookies: to understand site usage
• Preference cookies: to remember your choices

11.2 Cookie management

You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when they are deposited. However, certain site functions may be affected.

12. Changes to the policy

This privacy policy may be updated to reflect changes in our practices or to comply with regulatory developments. The date of the last update is indicated at the top of this document.

13. Contact and complaints

13.1 Contact us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy:

• Email : privacy@cilss.int
• Telephone: +226 25 37 41 25
• Address: CILSS, 03 BP 7049 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso

13.2 Complaints

If you feel that your rights have not been respected, you can lodge a complaint with the competent data protection authority in your country of residence.

14. Additional legal information

14.1 Legal status

CILSS is an international organization with legal personality, created by the Convention of September 12, 1973, ratified by its member states.

14.2 Head office

CILSS Executive Secretariat
03 BP 7049 Ouagadougou 03
Burkina Faso

14.3 Member States

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo.

This privacy policy is available in French and English on our website.